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OCT  25  191R 


C  < )  X  C  I S  E   1 1 1  STO  R Y^6,CAL  Sy  ^ 


Methodist  Protestant  Church. 


FROM   ITS  ORIGIN: 


^.K  FACING    THE    PlRCU.WSTANCES    OF    THE  SUSPENSION 

and  Western  Ponferences  in  1^58,  the  Entire  Pa 
/Iethodist  Church    and  the  REUNION  o 


WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  SEVERAL  LEADING  MINISTERS 
OF  THE  DENOMINATION. 


By  ANCEL  H.  BASSETT. 


WITH  AN  IXmODrcTIOX  BY  WILLIAM  COLLIER.  IK  D. 


PITTSBURGH: 
PRESS   OF   CHARLES   A.  SCOTT. 
JAMES  ROBISOX,   132   FIFTH  AVENtJE. 

SPRINGFIELD,  OHIO:  A.  H.  BASSETT. 
1S77. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year 

By  ANCEL  II.  BASSETT, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washi 


c 


PREFACE. 


THE  work  herewith  submitted  is  an  attempt  to  supply 
what  has  long  been  acknowledged  to  be  a  "felt  want." 
More  than  a  third  of  a  century  ago  Rev.  J.  R.  Williams, 
of  Baltimore,  who  was  well  qualified  for  the  task,  published 
a  "History  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,"  embrac- 
ing an  account  of  the  Reform  Controversy  and  its  out- 
come, the  organization  and  progress  of  the  church  to  the 
year  1842,  little  more  than  the  period  of  one-fourth  of  its 
career.  This  work  was  useful  in  its  day.  But  it  contained 
many  ecclesiastical  papers  and  controversial  documents 
which  need  not  now  be  perpetuated.  And  this  work  is 
long  since  out  of  print.  It  never  saw  a  second  edition.  A 
few  years  after  Rev.  John  Paris  published  a  "  History"  of 
same  title,  the  occasion  of  which  seems  to  have  been  that 
the  North  Carolina  brethren  considered  that  too  little  space, 
in  the  work  of  Mr.  Williams,  had  been  devoted  to  the 
history  of  the  cause  of  Reform  in  that  State.  To  supply 
this  deficiency  the  work  of  Dr.  Paris  was  issued,  giving, 
besides  a  general  view  of  the  facts  connected  with  Method- 
ist Reform  at  large,  more  definite  and  extended  accounts 
of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
in  North  Carolina.  The  work  must  have  been  of  special 
interest  in  that  quarter.  It  was  issued  in  1849,  ar>d  was  a 
work  of  decided  ability.  But  it  has  long  since  been  out  of 
print.  Copies  of  neither  of  the  above-named  works  are 
anywhere  on  sale.  And  neither  of  them  reaches  the  period 
of  the  most  eventful  transactions  of  our  church. 

iii 


iv 


PREFACE. 


Friends  of  our  cause,  sympathizing  in  our  principles, 
have  asked  for  our  standard  documents — our  history — desir- 
ing the  information.  This  has  occurred  a  thousand  times, 
twice  told.  Our  record  is  to  be  found  through  the  oner- 
ous task  of  scanning  a  hundred  files  of  church  papers  and 
scores  of  dispersed  and  well-worn  pamphlets.  Not  one  in 
a  thousand  will  attempt  this.  It  is  painful  to  note  thai 
since  the  days  of  the  fathers'  struggle,  a  generation  has 
risen  up,  many  of  whom  are  not  posted  regarding  the  his- 
torical facts  of  the  origin  and  career  of  our  denomination. 
Nor  is  it  willingly  thus  with  them,  for  they  call  for  a  history. 
The  writer  has  been  made  sensible  of  this  demand,  times 
without  number,  long  before  he  had  the  least  apprehension 
that  the  writing  of  such  a  history  would  devolve  upon  him- 
self. Hence,  at  the  General  Conference  of  1866,  at  Alle- 
gheny City,  he  introduced  a  resolution,  which  was  adopted, 
requesting  Rev.  George  Brown  to  prepare  a  history  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  to  be  given  to  the  public  so 
soon  as  practicable.  But  it  was  late  in  life  with  that  vener- 
able man,  and  he  never  assumed  the  task.  But  when 
subsequently  prompted  on  the  subject,  he  said  to  the  writer, 
whose  name  had  been  associated  with  his,  as  assistant  in 
the  case,  "You  will  have  to  write  that  history."  But 
being  at  that  time  pressed  with  important  responsibilities, 
he  for  years  entertained  no  such  thoughc.  Nor  did  he 
until  after  the  adoption  of  the  very  assuring  expression  and 
request  of  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
in  1875,  to  prepare,  at  earliest  convenience,  a  history  of 
our  church.  The  undertaking  involved  incalculable  re- 
search, but  as  this  was  in  accord  with  his  tastes  and  habits, 
and  having  been  relieved  of  oppressive  cares  and  duties, 
and  being  blessed  with  improved  health,  he  finally  acceded 
to  the  advice  and  judgment  of  many  friends,  that  he  is, 
perhaps,  providentially  spared  to  render  this  service  to  the 
church  before  he  shall  pass  away. 


PREFACE. 


V 


The  writer  has  endeavored  to  pursue  an  originality  of 
statement,  eschewing  certain  threadbare  points,  which  the 
reader  would  not  desire  to  have  reiterated.  And  a  variety 
of  facts  and  incidents  are  here  given  which  have  not  before 
met  the  eye  of  the  reader. 

The  writer  has  aimed  at  conciseness,  in  view  of  bringing 
the  work  into  one  volume,  so  that  its  cost  may  adapt  it  to 
general  circulation.  Hence  many  may  be  disappointed 
not  to  find  here  local  and  personal  details,  which  would 
have  so  swelled  the  work  as  to  require  another  volume, 
which  might  easily  have  been  produced. 

Let  it  here  be  remarked,  if  Mr.  Williams  in  his  History 
presented  most  fully  the  record  of  transactions  in  and  about 
his  city  (Baltimore),  and  if  Dr.  Paris,  in  his  History,  dwelt 
most  in  detail  upon  transactions  in  his  State  (North  Caro- 
lina), it  can  not  be  thought  amiss  that  this  writer,  a  life-long 
resident  and  laborer  in  the  North  and  West,  should  present 
more  at  large  the  historical  facts  pertaining  to  that  w  ing  of 
the  church,  though  giving  in  sufficient  detail  the  record 
of  the  other  localities. 

The  writer  having  been  contemporaneous  with  much  that 
is  herein  related,  can  speak,  to  considerable  extent,  as  an 
eye-witness.  He  respectfully  claims  to  have  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Union  Society  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  at  Cincinnati,  fifty  years  ago;  that  he  witnessed, 
to  some  extent,  the  ecclesiastical  proceedings  against  the 
Reformers,  in  that  city,  in  1828;  that  he  was  identified  with 
the  secession  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  which 
immediately  followed  the  expulsions,  and  which  originated 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  that  city  and  the  region 
round  about.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference ever  since  its  session  of  1830;  has  had  the  honor 
to  be  conversant  with  the  fathers  and  the  chief  leaders  of 
our  denomination,  who  have  now,  one  by  one,  nearly  all 
passed  away.    Hence  he  humbly  feels  called  upon,  before 


vi 


PKEFAC 


he  too  shall  go  hence,  to  place  on  record  an  exhibit  of  facts 
and  incidents,  with  which  he  has  been  more  or  less  familiar. 

Again,  this  work  was  written  in  obedience  to  the  call  of 
the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  1875. 
Of  course  it  would  be  expected  that  our  separation,  or 
rather  suspension  for  a  series  of  years  from  the  body  retain- 
ing the  name  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  should 
be  accounted  for  by  a  due  presentation  of  the  causes,  and 
that  the  thread  of  our  history  during  the  period  of  our 
detached  existence  should  be  given.  If,  in  doing  this,  we 
should  be  deemed  sectional,  yet  we  can  not  be  found  un- 
charitable. If  we  have  indicated  sentiments  which  scarcely 
admit  of  universal  acceptation,  they  at  least  challenge 
comparison  with  gospel  principles.  Candid  minds,  we 
trust,  without  regard  to  sections,  will  accept  our  record. 
Our  stand-point  and  programme  of  the  work  are,  however, 
somewhat  changed  since  the  events  of  1877. 

The  writer  could  wish  that  he  was  more  fully  furnished 
to  give  the  history  of  the  Southern  wing  of  the  denomina- 
tion during  the  period  of  the  suspension  above  alluded  to. 
Besides  our  official  non-intercourse,  for  the  then  time  being, 
the  civil  war  for  several  years  impeded  us  ;  therefore  we 
could  not  be  fully  posted  in  the  facts  desirable  here  to  be 
recorded,  pertaining  to  that  important  and  extensive  portion 
of  our  work.  But  we  have  endeavored  faithfully  to  record 
its  general  history,  as  we  have  in  possession  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  General  Conferences  of  the  denomination,  South 
as  well  as  North,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1867,  at  Montgomery,  Alabama.  And, 
finally,  we  have  had  the  great  pleasure  of  witnessing  and 
recording  the  grand  consummation  in  the  happy  reunion 
of  the  two  churches,  by  conventions,  at  Baltimore,  in  May, 
1877.  •  Gloria  Dei. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

November  I,  1 87 7. 


INTRODUCTION. 


vOR  several  years  past  a  desire  had  been  expressed  by 


J.  many  of  our  prominent  ministers  and  laymen,  that 
some  one  qualified  should  be  appointed  to  furnish  a  more 
extended  account  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  than 
that  which  is  contained  in  the  early  histories,  written  by 
Rev.  James  R.  Williams,  of  Maryland,  and  Rev.  Dr.  John 
Paris,  of  North  Carolina.  After  several  attempts,  at  pre- 
vious General  Conference?,  to  secure  the  object  sought, 
without  success,  at  the  late  session  of  that  body,  held  in 
Princeton,  Illinois,  May,  1875,  the  subject  was  again  in- 
troduced by  Rev.  John  Scott,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Ancel  H. 
Bassett  named  as  a  suitable  person  to  accomplish  this  most 
desirable  work  for  the  church.  The  proposition  of  Dr. 
Scott  met  with  the  hearty  and  unanimous  concurrence  of 
the  Conference  and  visiting  brethren.  The  selection  of 
Brother  Bassett  was,  without  doubt,  a  judicious  one.  No  one 
among  us  is  better  furnished  with  the  necessary  documents, 
facts  and  incidents  for  such  a  work  ;  no  one  better  adapted 
by  education,  nature  and  grace,  by  observation  and  experi- 
ence, to  put  together,  in  an  intelligent,  pleasing  and  in- 
structive form  the  truthful  details  of  the  history  of  our 
beloved  church,  from  its  inception  down  to  the  present 
period.  The  General  Conference  evinced  a  just  discrimi- 
nation in  the  choice  it  made,  and  by  its  action  turned  all 
eyes  toward  Brother  Bassett,  as  every  way  fitted  for  the 
task  assigned  him,  fully  satisfied  that  a  history  would  in 


vn 


Vlll 


INTRODUCTION. 


due  time  be  forthcoming,  if  life  and  health  should  be  con- 
tinued. Authorized  by  the  highest  official  body  of  the 
church,  and  possessing  ample  materials,  and  the  confi- 
dence of  the  ministry  and  membership,  he  entered  without 
delay  upon  his  arduous  labor,  and  now,  in  this  neat  vol- 
ume, presents  to  the  church  and  the  public  the  result  of 
patient  toil.  It  may  be  said,  with  full  confidence,  in  this 
work  we  have  a  faithful  history  of  the  origin,  conflicts, 
labors,  sacrifices,  reverses  and  successes  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  as  also  a  fair  statement  of  her  doctrines, 
ecclesiastical  principles,  and  her  general  religious  usages 
In  doing  this  he  has  set  down  nothing  in  malice,  nor  has 
aught  extenuated.    We  esteem  him  incapable  of  either. 

As  Brother  Bassett,  in  this  history,  has  said  nothing, 
comparatively,  of  himself,  though  identified  with  the  move- 
ment which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  from  its  commencement,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place, 
though  unsolicited  by  him,  to  record  in  this  introduction  a 
few  facts  of  his  own  history. 

Ancel  H.  Bassett  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  July  ist, 
1809,  converted  to  God  in  Ohio,  when  but  twelve  years  of 
age,  and  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  While 
yet  young,  his  attention  was  called  to  the  subject  of  lay 
delegation  in  the  councils  of  the  church  of  which  he  was  a 
member.  His  sympathies  were  therefore  readily  enlisted 
by  the  party  which  sought  the  introduction  of  the  lay  ele- 
ment into  the  General  and  Annual  Conferences  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  And  when  the  expulsions 
took  place,  in  1828,  in  Cincinnati,  he,  being  then  only 
nineteen  years  of  age,  seceded,  with  many  others,  and 
joined  with  the  expelled  in  the  organization  of  a  new  Meth- 
odist Church,  recognizing  the  right  of  the  laity  to  repre- 
sentation in  all  departments  of  the  church.  In  1830,  under 
the  pastoral  supervision  of  Rev.  Asa  Shinn,  of  precious 
memory,  he  received  license  to  preach.    A  few  days  after,  he 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

was  admitted  into  the  itinerancy  of  the  new  church.  It  is  not 
necessary  here  to  enter  into  a  recital  of  the  immense  labors 
and  sacrifices  of  the  early  preachers  of  our  denomination. 
The  history  of  one,  as  recorded  in  this  volume,  is,  with  few 
exceptions,  the  history  of  all.  Brother  Bassett  bore  his  full 
share  of  privations  and  toil.  When  quite  young,  hewaselected 
secretary  of  his  Annual  Conference,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  for  seven  successive  years,  when  he  was  elected  to 
the  Presidency.  Five  times  was  he  selected  by  his  brethren 
to  that  laborious  and  responsible  position.  He  retired  from 
the  active  work  of  the  ministry  in  1845,  t0  ta^e  charge  of 
a  religious  paper  called  the  Western  Recorder.  For  ten 
years  he  published  that  periodical  as  an  individual  enter- 
prise, under  the  sanction  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference. 
In  1854,  at  a  convention  held  in  Zanesville,  the  Recorder 
was  transferred  to  the  church,  and  became  the  official  organ 
of  the  Northern  and  Western  Conferences,  and  Brother 
Bassett  was  elected  as  Editor  and  also  Book  Agent  of  the 
Western  Book  Concern,  located  at  Springfield,  Ohio.  He 
continued  his  connection  with  the  publishing  interests  of 
the  church  as  editor  or  book  agent,  with  the  exception  of 
a  short  period,  down  to  1872,  when  he  resigned  his  official 
relation,  but  continued  his  efforts  in  various  ways  to  advance 
the  interests  of  the  church  and  promote  the  glory  of  God. 

As  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by 
his  associates  in  the  ministry  and  membership,  we  note  that 
from  and  after  1838,  he  was  elected  as  principal  to  all,  save 
one,  of  the  General  Conferences,  both  before  and  after  the 
suspension  of  official  relations  between  the  Northern  and 
Southern  wings  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  He 
was  also  chosen  to  represent  his  conference  in  all  the  con- 
ventions held  in  the  interests  of  the  North-western  confer- 
ences. 

Brother  Bassett  has  been  remarkably  careful  to  collect 
and  preserve  such  matter  as  related  to  the  controversy  on 


X 


INTRODUCTION. 


lay  representation,  from  1822  down  to  the  trying  scenes  of 
expulsion  and  secession,  which  resulted  in  the  organization 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  of  which  the  following 
pages  will  give  a  faithful  history. 

Opportunely,  that  part  of  this  history  reaching  to  the 
time  of  the  assembling  of  the  joint  conventions  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  and  Methodist  Churches  had  been  written, 
ready  for  completion  by  the  addition  of  perhaps  the  most 
pleasing  chapter  of  all — a  chapter  containing  an  account 
of  the  triumphs  of  Christian  charity  and  brotherly  love  ;  the 
conquest  of  sectional  prejudices  ;  the  union  of  names  and 
hearts  from  East,  West,  North  and  South,  in  one  united 
Methodist  Protestant  Church.  This  history  would  not 
have  been  complete  without  the  record  of  that  grand  con- 
summation so  long  wished  for  by  thousands,  and  so  often 
prayed  for  by  the  lovers  of  union.  Thus  united,  too,  after 
a  separation  for  years — always  one  in  doctrine,  one  in 
work,  one  in  aim,  one  in  church  government,  and  one  in 
means  of  grace  ;  now  one  in  official  bonds  all  over  this 
broad  land. 

May  we  not  hope  that  the  following  history,  so  wisely 
and  happily  commenced,  and  so  auspiciously  concluded, 
will  find  its  way  into  all  sections  of  our  beloved  Zion. 

We  cheerfully  commend  it  to  the  confidence  of  the 
whole  church,  and  bespeak  for  it  a  liberal  patronage. 

WILLIAM  COLLIER. 


GARRETT  BIBLICAL  INSTITUTE 

EV ANSTON.  ILLINOIS. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  Page. 

Introductory  1 7 

CHAPTER  II. 

Early  Methodism  —  Its  Origin  and  Principles  —  Its  Outset  in 
England — Its  General  Spread— Mr.  Wesley— His  Unfor- 
tunate Oversight — Extenuation,  19 

CHAPTER  III. 


Planting  of  Methodism  in  America — An  Error  in  the  Start — 
The  Revolutionary  Period — Mr.  Wesley's  Manifesto — His 
Sons  in  America  Choose  to  be  Independent  and  Lordly — 
Wesley  Vindicated,  ........  22 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  Organized,  17S4,  by  an  As- 
sembly of  Preachers,  Hastily  Convened — "  Where  Were 
the  People?" — The  New  Episcopacy — Its  Powers  and  As- 
sumptions— The  Itinerant  Hierarchy — How  it  Worked — 
Testimony  of  Judge  Hopper  and  Nicholas  Snethen,  .        .  27 

CHAPTER  V. 

Conference  of  1792 — The  Appeal  Question — Exciting  Debate — 
Withdrawal  of  O'Kelly  and  McKendree — The  Presiding 
Elder  Question — Discussed  in  Successive  General  Confer- 
ences,       .       ...       jk       .....  32 

CHAPTER  VI. 

General  Conference  of  1S20 — Presiding  Elder  Question  Set- 
tled—  Then  Unsettled  —  Coup  d' Etat  of  Bishop  Soule  — 
Waugh  and  Emory — The  People  Beginning  to  Awake — 
"Wesleyan  Repository" — Suppression  of  Inquiry  and  In- 
vestigation—  "Methodist  Magazine,"  ....  35 


12 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII.  ] 

General  Conference,  1824 — Memorials  from  the  Laity — Lordly 
Response  —  Important  Meeting  of  Reformers  —  Organiza- 
tion of  Union  Societies — "The  Mutual  Rights" — The  Power 


Party  Take  Offense  and  Oppose,        .        .       .       .  .41 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Baltimore  Conference — Expulsion  of  D.  B.  Dorsey  and  W.  C. 
Pool  —  Bascom's  Rebuke  —  Expulsions  in  Baltimore  and 
Other  Places— General  Conference  of  1827,      .       .  .44 

CHAPTER  IX. 

General  Conference  of  1828  —  Memorial  and  Appeals  —  Asa 
Shinn's  Able  Defense,  but  Sad  Failure — Expulsions  Con- 
firmed—  Dishonorable  Terms  of  Restoration  —  Other  Ex- 
pulsions— Fate  of  the  Memorial — The  Pronunciamento  of 
the  " Divinely  Authorized"— A  Parallelism,     .       .  -49 

CHAPTER  X. 

Persecution  of  Reformers  Renewed— Trials  and  Expulsions  at 
Cincinnati — Action  of  Trustees — Secession  of  1828 — In- 
effectual Appeals,      ........  53 

CHAPTER  XL 

Persecution  of  Reformers  Continued  —  Lynchburg  —  George- 
town—North Carolina — A  Veteran  Cut  Off — Tennessee — 
"Scratch  Law" — Starling  Turner,     .....  61 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Fathers — What  Some  of  them  Said  of  Irresponsible  Power 

—  "Speaking  Evil  of  Ministers" — Who  is  to  be  Vindicated,  6S 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Persecution  of  Reformers  Considered — Its  Injustice — The  Re- 
sults— Influence  of  the  Discussion — A  Great  Change — The 


Leaven  that  Leaveneth,     .......  73 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

General  Convention  of  1828 — Articles  of  Association — "Mutual 
Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer" — Organization  of  An- 
nual Conferences  under  the  Conventional  Articles,    .       .  78 

CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Church  Organization  at  Cincinnati — Case  of  Dr.  Bishop— 

His  Death — Succeeded  by  Asa  Shinn,        .       .       .  .84 


CONTENTS. 


13 


CHAPTER  XVI.  r„Ke. 

Various  Secessions  and  Organizations  in  the  West,  under  the 

Conventional  Articles  of  1828,  S8 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Call  for  an  Annual  Conference  in  the  West — Ohio  Conference 

Organized  at  Cincinnati,  1829 — Divided  in  1833,       .       .  9S 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

General  Convention  of  1S30 — Constitution  and  Discipline 
Formed— Methodist  Protestant  Church — The  Word  White 
— The  Methodist  Protestant  — General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  1832— Response,        .        .  103 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

First  General  Conference  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  George- 
town, 1834 — Editorship  of  N.  Snethen  and  Asa  Shinn — 
Abolition  Interdicted — Illinois  Conference  Set  Off — Dear- 
born College,     ......        ...  108. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Second  General  Conference,  Pittsburgh,  1838 — Stormy  Debate 
— Gloomy  Interval  in  the  West — "Western  Recorder" 
Commenced — Indiana,  South  Carolina  and  Onondaga  Con- 
ferences 115 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Third  General  Conference,  Baltimore,  1842  —  Muskingum, 
Michigan  and  North  Illinois  Conferences — Snethen  Semi- 
nary—  Accident  at  Allegheny — Fourth  General  Confer- 
ence, 1846,  Cincinnati — Iowa  and  Wabash  Conferences — 
Cambridge  College,        .        .        .       .        .       .  122 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Fifth  General  Conference,  Baltimore,  1850 — Madison  College 
Organized — Board  of  Missions  at  Pittsburgh— Daniel  Bag- 
ley,  Missionary  to  Oregon — North  Illinois  Resolutions — 
Trouble  in  the  Church  Paper,         .....  1 3 E 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Sixth  General  Confe  ence,  Steuben ville,  1S54 — The  Trouble 
with  theChurch  Paper — Editor  Exonerated — Separation  of 
the  Publishing  Interests — A  Church  Paper  in  the  West — 
Finale  of  Madison  College — South  Illinois  and  West  Vir- 
ginia Conferences,     .       .       .       .       .       .       .  .137 


14 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXIV.  Page. 
Convention  of  1854,  Zanesville— "  Western  Methodist  Protest- 
ant"— Removal  to  Springfield,  Ohio — Convention  at  Balti- 
more, June,  1855 — Marshall  College,  144 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Convention  of  1856,  Springfield  —  Western  Periodical  and 

Book  Concern — Call  for  an  Advisory  Convention,     .       .  148 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
Convention  at  Cincinnati,  1857— Memorial  to  General  Confer- 
ence— Disaster  at  Sixth  Street  Church,  Cincinnati,  .        .  15G 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

General  Conference  at  Lynchburg,  1858 — The  Memorial  Dis- 
regarded— Minnesota,  West  Michigan  and  North  Iowa 
Conferences,      .........  163 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
Methodist  Protestant  General  Conference,  Georgetown,  1862 — 
Adjourned  Session,  1865 — Effects  of  the  War  —  General 
Conference  at  Georgetown,  1866,       .....  167 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Methodist  Protestant  Convention,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  1867 — 

Negotiations  for  Union  172 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Methodist  Protestant  General  Conference,  East  Baltimore,  1870 

— General  Conference,  Lynchburg,  1874,        .        -  -177 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Convention  of  1858,  Springfield — The  Act  of  Suspension,       .  182 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Book  Concern  Building  at  Springfield — Meeting  for  Fraterni- 
zation at  Pittsburgh — Hymn  Book  Complication  and  Com- 
pilation— Allegheny  Seminary — Nebraska  Conference,      .  187 

CHAPTER  XXXII I. 

Convention  at  Pittsburgh,  i860 — George  Brown,  Editor — Finan- 
cial Embarrassment — Sad  Event  at  Baltimore,  .        .        .  193 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Convention  at  Cincinnati,  1862 — Declaration — Adrian  College 

— Collegiate  Association-  -Endowment  Fund,   .       .       .  198 


CONTENTS. 


15 


CHAPTER  XXXV.  rage 

Conferences  Organized  in  Missouri  —  Union  Convention  at 
Cleveland,  1 865 — Union  Convention  at  Union  Chapel,  Cin- 
cinnati, 1866,  205 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

General  Conference,  Allegheny.  1866 — The  Union — Ministerial 

Educational  Association — M.  P.  Collegiate  Association,    .  210 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

First  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church,  Cleveland, 
1S67 — Kansas  Conference — Resignation  of  Editor  Scott 
— Alexander  Clark  succeeds — Marshall  College,        .        .  215 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

General  Conference,  Pittsburgh,  1871 — Death  of  Geo.  Brown 
— Removal  of  Publishing  Business  to  Pittsburgh — Resig- 
nation  of  A.   H.   Bassett — James   Robison,  Publishing 


Agent — Interesting  Occasion  at  Cincinnati,       .        .       .  221 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

General  Conference,  Princeton,  1S75,      .....  228 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Action  of  the  Union  Commissioners,  Pittsburgh,  1875 — Re- 
sponse of  the  Conferences  and  Churches,         .        .       .  236 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

Fraternal  Visitations  and  Recognitions  Abroad,       .       .       .  238 

CHAPTER  XLII.  . 
General  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Church,  Baltimore,  1S77,  244 

CHAPTER  XLI1L 
General  Convention  of  the  M.  P.  Church,  Baltimore,  1S77.      •  249 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 
The  Consummation — Proceedings  of  the  United  Body,    .  •251 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

A  Retrospect,  taken  at  the  Convention  in  Starr  Church,  May 

16th,  1877 — An  Incident,        ......  259 


16 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XLVI.  Page. 

The  Religious  Status  and  Aspect,    ......  269 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

A  Camp  Meeting  Reminiscence  —  Asa  Shinn  and  Nicholas 

Snethen — Two  Great  Sermons  from  the  Same  Text,  .       .  274. 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

Reminiscence  of  Nicholas  Snethen — A  Conference  Sermon,    .  279 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

Conferences  with  Closed  Doors,     ......  282 

CHAPTER  L. 

History  Confirmed — Thomas  McCormick — Daniel  Wise,        .  285 

CHAPTER  LI. 

Statistics  of  the  Methodist  Church— Of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church — Lists  of  Representatives — Lists  of  Presidents 
—  Epitome  of  General  Conferences  and  Conventions — 
Sessions  of  the  Ohio  Conference — Pittsburgh  Conference — 
Muskingum  Conference — Obituary  Record,       .        .       .  289 

CHAPTER  LII. 
The  Secession  of  James  O'Kelley,    ......  305 

CHAPTER  LIII. 
Methodist  Reformed  Church,  309 

CHAPTER  LIV. 
The  Methodist  Society,    .        .        .        .        .       .       .       .  311 

CHAPTER  LV. 
The  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection,      .....  313 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


Nicholas  Snethen, 

•  3«7 

Jonathan  Flood,  . 

•       •  358 

Asa  Shinn,  . 

325 

William  B.  Evans,  . 

•  361 

Thomas  H.  Stockton, 

•  33i 

George  Brown,  . 

•  369 

Robert  Dobbins,  . 

338 

Joel  Dalbey,  . 

•  379 

Adjet  McGuire,  . 

•  343 

Charles  Avery,  . 

.  386 

Samuel  Thompson, 

348 

Zechariah  Ragan,  . 

•  393 

Cornelius  Springer,  . 

•  35i 

James  Montgomery, 

•  403 

Chronological  Table, 

Etc.,. 

•  407,  4'2 

A  CONCISE  HISTORY 

or  THE 

METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER  I. — Introductory. 

EVERY  ecclesiastical  movement,  in  its  incipiency,  is 
regarded  with  misgivings,  and  meets  with  opposition. 
But  when  its  causes  and  its  principles  become  known,  it 
may  commend  itself  to  the  confidence  of  an  intelligent 
community. 

It  is  said  that  history  repeats  itself.  Jesus  came,  a 
Prince  of  the  house  of  David,  a  Priest  of  the  order  of 
Melchisede:.  At  his  coming,  the  church  of  Judea  was  so 
corrupt  that  it  was  said,  ••  Judgment  is  turned  away  back- 
ward, justice  standeth  afar  off,  truth  is  fallen  in  the  streets, 
and  equity  can  not  enter."  Hence,  the  Redeemer  comes 
to  Zion.  He  comes  to  put  away  sin,  and  to  rule  in  right- 
eousness. He  is  rejected,  excommunicated,  slain.  But  he 
rises  in  triumph,  and,  in  his  spiritual  reign,  he  organizes  a 
peculiar  people,  a  seed  serving  him,  a  holy  nation,  a  royal 
priesthood. 

After  the  lapse  of  fifteen  centuries,  Luther  waked  up  to 
the  fact  that  the  predicted  falling  away  had  occurred,  that 
the  mystery  of  iniquity  "doth  already  work,"  with  satanic 
power,  and  signs,  and  lying  wonders,  and  with  all  deceiv- 
ableness  of  unrighteousness.    He  nailed  up  his  protest 


13 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


against  the  assumptions  of  the  man  of  sin,  who,  "in  the 
temple  of  God,  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself  above  all 
that  is  called  God."  A  glorious  reformation  ensued.  But 
Luther  was  discarded  and  denounced  in  high  places. 
And  he  would  have  suffered  a  thousand  deaths  at  the  hand 
of  bigoted  and  malicious  men,  but  that  he  was  providentially- 
protected  and  spared  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 

But  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  it  be- 
came evident  that  the  church  of  the  Reformation  itself 
needed  a  reformation.  Worldliness  and  formality  prevail- 
ed. The  ministry,  to  great  extent,  had  lost  spirituality  and 
power.  A  prominent  high-churchman  acknowledged  that 
England  had  lapsed  into  virtual  heathenism  when  John 
Wesley  appeared.  Him  God  raised  up  to  revive  the- 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  faith,  as  Luther,  in  his  day,  had 
revived  it. 


CHAPTER  II. 


EARLY  METHODISM — ITS  ORIGIN  AND  PRINCIPLES — ITS  OUTSET  Iff 
ENGLAND — ITS  GENERAL  SPREAD— MR.  WESLEY — HIS  UNFOR- 
TUNATE OYERSIGHT — EXTENUATION. 

METHODISM,  in  its  outset,  was  considered  a  revival 
of  religion.  Dr.  Chalmers,  at  a  later  day,  termed 
it  Christianity  in  earnest.  Its  mission  was  to  reform  the 
churches,  to  spread  scriptural  holiness,  to  evangelize  the 
world.  Its  origin  was  small,  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed. 
A  handful  of  young  men  associated  themselves  with  Mr. 
Wesley  to  pray  together  and  to  seek  for  gracious  attain- 
ments. They  prayed  and  preached,  and  God  blessed  their 
labors.  Numbers  were  added  to  them.  They  encountered 
opposition.  They  were  despised  and  persecuted — some 
even  suffered  martyrdom.  But  they  were  unbaffled  by  diffi- 
culties. They  determined  that  neither  tribulation,  nor  dis- 
tress, nor  persecution,  nor  peril,  nor  sword  should  intimi- 
date or  dissuade  them  from  their  holy  purpose.  Mr. 
Wesley  accepted  such  helpers  from  the  common  people  a.~ 
were  providentially  brought  out.  Their  work  extended — 
gradually  in  some  parts,  rapidly  in  others.  It  extended 
through  England,  through  Ireland,  into  Wales,  and  into 
Scotland.  It  crossed  the  Atlantic,  spread  along  our  shores, 
and  out  over  our  continent.  It  reached  the  isles  of  the  sea 
and  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  The  handful  of  men  became 
scores,  then  hundreds,  then  thousands,  and  finally  million*,. 
And  now,  Methodism  is  found  almost  everywhere.  The 
sun  never  sets  upon  Methodism. 

*9 


20 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  first  regular  organizations  of  Methodists  in  England, 
under  Mr.  Wesley,  were  made  in  1739.  The  first  confer- 
ence held  by  him  and  his  associates  met  in  London  in  1744. 
It  consisted  of  ten  persons,  six  clergymen  and  four  lay 
preachers.  Every  year  thereafter  a  conference  was  held, 
under  Mr.  Wesley's  direction.  He,  however,  did  not  com- 
mence publishing  regular  Minutes  of  conferences  till  about 
twenty  years  later.  These  conferences  were  evidently  at 
first  intended  simply  to  consult  measures  for  carrying  on  the 
religious  work  and  to  adopt  regulations  for  the  societies,  by 
no  means  contemplating  the  governmental  machinery  after- 
wards involved  by  the  vast  spread  of  the  work,  and  the 
mighty  ingathering  of  membership  to  the  societies.  It  was, 
however,  an  unfortunate  oversight  that  in  these  consulta- 
tions and  enactments  the  voice  of  the  laity  was  utterly 
ignored.  Dr.  Whitehead,  who  was  Mr.  Wesley's  appointed 
biographer,*  regards  it  as  an  incongruity  that  a  Methodist 
conference  should  be  spoken  of  as  a  "conference  of  the 
people  called  Methodists."  Says  he:  " It  is  well  known 
that  the  people  called  Methodists  never  held  a  conference 
since  Methodism  existed.    The  conference  is  an  assembly 

*Mr.  Wesley  bequeathed  his  manuscripts  and  papers  thus:  "I 
give  all  my  manuscripts  to  Thomas  Coke,  Dr.  Whitehead  and  Henry 
Moore,  to  be  burnt  or  published,  as  they  see  good."  Dr.  White- 
head was  solicited  by  the  executors,  preachers  and  others  to  write 
Mr.  Wesley's  Life.  The  three  persons  to  whom  Mr.  Wesley  had 
bequeathed  his  manuscripts,  of  whom  Dr.  Whitehead  was  one,  de- 
liberately agreed  that  the  Doctor  should  have  the  use  of  these 
manuscripts  to  assist  him  in  executing  the  work.  That  the  Doctor 
was  an  authentic  biographer  can  not  be  questioned.  But  he  gave 
too  much  of  the  truth  in  the  case  tovsuit  his  two  associates,  as  might 
be  supposed  from  the  extract  here  given.  This  may  account  for 
the  facts  that  they  afterwards  changed  their  minds  towards  him, 
that  his  work  was  discarded  by  the  conference  party,  and  that  two 
other  lives  were  issued,  namely,  "Coke  and  Moore's  Life  of  Wes- 
ley," and  finally  "Moore's  Life  of  Wesley." 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


21 


of  itinerant  preachers  only  (except  two  or  three  clergymen), 
and  its  members  are  not  assembled  by  any  authority  derived 
from  the  people.  When  sitting,  it  exercises  powers  which 
are  neither  derived  from  the  people  nor  under  any  control 
by  them.  It  elects  members  into  its  own  body,  or  excludes 
them,  at  pleasure ;  it  makes  regulations  or  laws,  not  only 
for  the  itinerant  preachers,  but  for  all  ranks  and  orders  of 
persons  in  the  societies;  and  while  these  things  are  trans- 
acted, neither  local  preachers  or  any  of  the  people  have  a 
single  voice  or  a  single  representative  in  the  assembly.  The 
people  have  no  check,  no  balance  of  power  against  any 
regulation  or  law  the  conference  may  choose  to  decree." 

But,  in  extenuation,  it  must  be  said  that  Mr.  Wesley  ever 
considered  himself  specially  called  to  care  for  the  spiritual 
interests  of  a  people  providentially  raised  up.  Over  his 
preachers  and  his  people  he  exercised  an  unlimited  authority, 
considering  himself  responsible  to  God  only  for  the  exercise 
of  extraordinary  powers.  But  he  remarked,  anticipating  a 
prospective  change  after  his  death:  "To  me  the  preachers 
have  engaged  themselves  to  submit,  to  serve  me  as  sons  in 
the  gospel.  But  they  are  not  thus  engaged  to  any  man  or 
any  number  of  men  besides.  To  me  the  people  submit ; 
but  they  will  not  thus  submit  to  any  other."  The  event 
proved  that  dissatisfactions  prevailed  to  great  extent.  Se- 
cession after  secession  took  place,  and  many  thousands  of 
membership  were  lost  to  the  connection  of  British  Meth- 
odists. 


CHAPTER  III. 


PLANTING  OF  METHODISM  IN  AMERICA — AN  ERROR  IN  THE  START 
— THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD — MR.  WESLEY'S  MANIFESTO— HIS 
SONS  IN  AMERICA  CHOOSE  TO  BE  INDEPENDENT  AND  LORDLY — 
WESLEY  VINDICATED. 


HEN  Methodism  took  shape,  and  began  to  make  pro- 


gress  in  this  country,  it  might  have  been  expected  that 
it  would  adapt  itself  somewhat  to  the  principles  of  American 
institutions.  Surely,  one  would  have  thought,  in  this 
"State  without  a  king"  might  be  found  a  "church  without 
a  bishop."  But  it  did  so  happen  that  the  men  who  intro- 
duced Methodist  preaching  and  began  Methodist  organiza- 
tions on  this  continent,  though  men  of  piety  and  zeal,  were 
Englishmen  of  the  Wesleyan  school.  As  might  naturally 
have  been  expected,  the  preachers  first  sent  out  by  Mr. 
Wesley  for  the  American  work  were  men  of  aristocratic 
feelings. 

Mr.  Wesley,  as  a  loyal  British  subject,  was  scripturally 
bound  to  honor  his  king.  In  perfect  consistency,  there- 
fore, he  at  first  spake  against  the  cause  of  the  Revolution- 
ists, and  expressed  himself  in  opposition  to  Republicanism. 
His  missionary  followers  were  like-minded,  as  we  shall  see. 
The  first  Methodist  society  in  Maryland,  and  the  first  one 
also  in  New  York,  were  formed  about  the  year  1765.  In 
both  instances  local  preachers  began  the  work.  But  Mr. 
Wesley  sent  over  several  missionaries,  from  time  to  time,  tc 
enter  into  their  labors  and  carry  on  the  work.  In  1769 
came  Richard  Boardman  and  Joseph  Pillmoor.     In  177 1 


22 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


23 


came  Francis  Asbury  and  Richard  Wright.  In  1773  Mr. 
Wesley  sent  Thomas  Rankin  and  George  Shadford,  the 
former  to  be  general  assistant,  to  take  oversight  of  the 
work  in  America.  He  accordingly  convened  the  traveling 
preachers,  six  or  seven  only  in  number,  at  Philadelphia,  and 
held  the  first  conference.  Three  young  preachers  were  re- 
ceived on  trial,  making  the  number  ten.  Abel  Stevens  says 
that  the  ten  were  all  Europeans,  same  number  as  embraced 
in  Mr.  Wesley's  first  conference.  For  four  successive  years 
Mr.  Rankin  continued  to  hold  annual  conferences,  of  course, 
consisting  of  preachers  alone.  It  being  now  the  revolu- 
tionary epoch,  these  preachers  stood  opposed  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause,  and  were  accustomed  to  speak  of  its  adherents 
as  rebels.  Refusing  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  most  of 
them,  including  Mr.  Rankin,  fled  for  their  lives,  and  returned 
to  England.*  Mr.  Asbury,  however,  took  the  alternative 
to  go  into  seclusion,  secreting  himself  for  two  years  on  the 
premises  of  a  friend  in  Delaware,  and  refraining  from  inter- 
course with  the  outer  world. 

After  peace  was  restored,  Mr.  Wesley,  in  a  final  effort 
to  care  for  the  American  Methodists,  and  having  his  politi- 
cal feelings  essentially  modified,  in  the  fall  of  1784  set  apart 
Richard  Whatcoat  and  Thomas  Vasey  as  elders,  and  Dr. 
Thomas  Coke  as  superintendent,  with  authority  and  instruc- 
tions to  set  apart  Francis  Asbury  as  joint  superintendent 
with  himself.  Mr.  Wesley  also  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
American  Methodists,  in  which  he  suggests  that,  as  through 
an  extraordinary  train  of  Providences,  the  North  American 
Colonies  were  totally  disjoined  from  the  mother  country, 
and  erected  into  independent  States,  and  as  our  American 
brethren  are  now  totally  disentangled  both  from  the  State 
and  from  the  English  hierarchy,  they  are  now  at  full  liberty 
simply  to  follow  the  Scriptures  and  the  Primitive  Church. 


*Soe  Moore's  Life  of  Wesley,  Vol.  II,  page  191 


•2i 


A  CONCISF.  HISTORY  OF  THE 


And  he  advised  that  they  should  stand  fast  in  the  liberty 
wherewith  God  had  so  strangely  made  them  free. 

It  would  have  been  well  had  the  American  Methodists 
heeded  the  advice  of  Mr.  Wesley,  to  follow  the  Scriptures 
and  the  Primitive  Church,  and  to  stand  fast  in  the  [religious] 
liberty  wherewith  God  had,  through  political  revolution, 
made  them  free.  But  the  great  blunder  in  the  case  of  the 
British  Methodists,  so  much  deplored  by  Dr.  Whitehead, 
was  re-enacted  here,  in  the  outset  of  the  American  Method- 
ists. This  is  the  more  strange,  as  the  American  people  had 
so  recently  suffered  the  pains  and  casualties  of  a  seven  years' 
war,  struggling  for  liberty,  and  had  thus  thrown  off  the  yoke 
of  monarchy  and  aristocracy,  proclaiming,  as  the  specialty 
of  American  principles,  the  grand  doctrines  that  all  men 
have  certain  inalienable  rights,  and  that  all  governments 
derive  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed. 

Yet  it  is  hardly  surprising  that,  after  the  return  of  peace, 
Mr.  Asbury  having  emerged  from  his  seclusion,  and  the 
reinforcement  of  preachers  having  arrived  from  England, 
that  the  conference  should  exclude  the  laity  from  its  coun- 
cils, and  inaugurate  as  a  perpetuity  the  principle  of  clerical 
rule.  It  may  be  supposed  there  was  the  implied  consent 
of  the  governed,  but  even  this  is  strange  enough.  After 
repeated  experiments  with  civil  liberty  and  religious  free- 
dom, it  is  deemed  that  Spain  must  have  a  monarchy,  and 
that  France  must  have  a  ruling  priesthood.  But  American 
citizens,  American  Christians,  are  supposed  to  be  intelli- 
gent, and  to  be  duly  advised  of  their  just  rights  and  the 
claims  of  republican  principles. 

Naturally  enough,  the  monarchists,  who  in  the  outset 
had  chiefly  the  modeling  of  the  code  and  usages  for  Ameri- 
can Methodists,  having,  it  is  presumable,  little  sympathy 
for  republicanism  in  the  State,  had  no  disposition  to  devise 
a  liberal  polity  for  the  church.  It  has  been  represented  by 
creditable  writers  of  the  period,  that  in  their  intercourses,  in 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


25 


the  training  and  management  of  the  young  preachers  raised 
up  in  America,  they  usually  assumed  a  dictatorial  attitude, 
as  though  feeling  that  they  were  born  to  command.  This 
would  naturally  dispose  their  followers  to  entertain  a  like 
spirit.  And  it  is  not  surprising  that  within  so  short  a  period, 
during  which  they  had  greatly  increased,  they  should  be 
ready  to  form  a  permanent  organization,  with  a  polity  as- 
suming for  the  itinerant  preachers  exclusive  legal  powers. 

Regarding  Mr.  Wesley's  relations  with  the  American 
Revolution,  and  his  early  opposition  to  republicanism,  the 
writer  takes  pleasure  in  placing  on  record  here  a  statement, 
from  a  reliable  and  honored  source,  which  greatly  relieves 
the  American  mind  in  its  impressions  heretofore  enter- 
tained of  that  man  of  God. 

Dr.  Rigg,  fraternal  delegate  from  the  British  Wesleyan 
Conference  to  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  held  at  Baltimore,  in  an  address  before 
the  latter  body,  in  May,  1876,  said: 

"British  Methodism,  indeed,  has  a  special  right  to  regard  the 
hour  of  your  present  celebration  with  ungrudging  sympathy.  It  is 
well  known  with  what  frankness  our  common  founder  expressed  his 
satisfaction  at  the  position  and  prospects  of  your  church,  in  view  of 
that  liberty,  as  he  said,  wherewith  God  had  'so  strangely  made  you 
free.' 

"But  it  is  not  quite  so  widely  known  how  wisely,  how  faith- 
fully, how  lovingly  he  pleaded  your  cause  with  the  English  minis- 
try, during  the  time  of  the  struggle,  and  a  very  early  period  of  that 
struggle.  He  had  gone  against  you*  cause  at  the  first,  but,  with 
characteristic  candor  and  equity,  he  before  long  both  understood 
and  declared  the  truth.  Convinced  of  the  righteousness  of  your 
cause,  in  a  memorable  and  prophetic  letter,  written  in  duplicate, 
and  addressed  to  two  leading  members  of  the  British  ministry, 
Lord  North,  the  Premier,  and  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  he  pleaded 
your  country's  cause  with  singular  force  and  with  prophetic  insight. 

"' An  oppressed  people,'  he  declared,  in  this  historic  letter, 
'asked  for  nothing  more  than  their  legal  lights,  and  asked  for  them 
in  the  most  modest  and  inoffensive  manner  which  the  nature  of  the 


26 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


thing  would  allow.'  'They  are  strong,'  he  added  ;  'they  are  val- 
iant; they  are  one  and  all  enthusiasts;  enthusiasts  for  liberty — 
calm,  deliberate  enthusiasts.  They  are  terribly  united;  they  think 
they  are  contending  for  their  wives,  children  and  liberty.  What- 
ever has  been  affirmed,  these  men  will  not  be  frightened,  and  they 
will  not  be  conquered  easily.'  The  date  of  that  letter  was  1775. 
It  may  well  be  quoted  in  this  Centennial  year." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  ORGANIZED,  1 7S4,  BY  AN 
ASSEMBLY  OF  PREACHERS,  HASTILY  CONVENED — "WHERE  WERE 
THE  PEOPLE  ?" — THE  NEW  EPISCOPACY  —  ITS  POWERS  AND 
ASSUMPTIONS — THE  ITINERANT  HIERARCHY — HOW  IT  WORKED 
— TESTIMONY  OF  JUDGE  HOPPER  AND  NICHOLAS  SNETHEN. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  the  arrival  of  Messrs.  Coke, 
AVhatcoat  and  Vasey  from  England,  Mr.  Asbury  was 
conferred  with,  and  a  notice  was  circulated  calling  the 
Methodist  preachers  to  convene  at  Baltimore,  on  December 
25,  1784,  to  hold  an  important  conference.  The  notice  was 
•so  short,  the  season  so  adverse,  and  the  preachers  so  far 
dispersed,  there  was  not  a  full  attendance,  some  not  having 
received  notice  of  the  call.  Even  Jesse  Lee,  the  early 
historian,  was  five  hundred  miles  away,  and  in  feeble 
health,  and  found  it  impossible  to  attend.  About  sixty 
were  present,  and  most  of  these  were  young  men.  Such 
was  the  account  afterwards  given  by  Dr.  Coke.  Vet,  such 
an  assembly  laid  the  foundation  of  an  ecclesiastical  interest, 
involving  the  welfare  of  thousands  and  even  millions ! 

The  official  account  of  this  conference  is  thus  given  by- 
Mr.  Asbury  himself:*  "It  was  unanimously  agreed  at 
this  conference,  that  circumstances  made  it  expedient  for 
us  to  become  a  separate  body,  under  the  denomination  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  And  again:  ''There- 
fore, at  this  conference,  we  formed  ourselves  into  an 
independent  church. "f 

Let  the  reader  note  particularly  the  pergonal  pronouns 

•See  Lee's  History  of  the  Methodists,  page  127.    fSee  General  Minutes,  p.-.ge  43. 

27 


28 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


here  used  by  this  body  of  preachers,  "  We,"  "ourselves," 
"us,"  as  being  the  persons  who  organized  themselves  into 
an  independent  church,  assuming  the  name  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  !  It  is  notorious  that  the  laity  were 
not  at  all  consulted  in  this  matter.  Many  of  them,  there 
is  ample  reason  to  presume,  hundreds  of  miles  distant,  had 
no  knowledge  of  the  transaction  till  the  whole  was  consum- 
mated. Vet,  here  was  set  on  foot  an  exclusively  clerical 
government,  which  was  saddled  upon  the  whole  Methodist 
lay  people.  Not  a  local  preacher  nor  a  layman  had  a  seat 
in  the  body  which  consummated  this  important  legislation, 
and  the  conference,  we  presume,  as  was  usual  for  many 
years,  held  its  sessions  with  closed  doors.* 

The  writer  is  reminded  that,  some  years  ago,  he  had 
the  pleasure  of  hearing  a  discourse  by  John  P.  Durbin,  a 
leading  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in 
which  he  contrasted  the  Article  of  the  Methodist  Discipline, 
which  reads:  "  The  visible  church  of  Christ  is  a  congrega- 
tion of  faithful  men,  in  which  the  pure  word  of  God  is 
preached,"  etc.,  with  the  well-known  papal  dogma,  that 
"The  Pope,  the  bishops  and  the  clergy  constitute  the 
church."  "But,"  said  Dr.  Durbin,  "the  intelligent 
American  will  enquire,  Where  then  are  the  people?" 
Well  said,  thought  we,  and  so  would  an  intelligent  Ameri- 
can enquire,  regarding  the  organization  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  by  a  body  of  preachers  alone:  Where 
then,  O,  where  are  the  people  ? 

At  the  conference  of  1784,  which  adjourned  on  Janu- 
ary 1,  1785,  Dr.  Coke,  with  the  assistance  of  other  elders, 
ordained  Francis  Asbury,  first  as  deacon,  then  as  elder, 
and  then  as  superintend  _nt ;.  and  these  two  were  then 
received  and  recognized  by  the  conference  as  joint  super- 
intendents.    For  this  they  claimed  the  authority  of  Mr. 

*Sec  im  article  headed  "Conference*  with  Closed  Doors,"  in  another  part  of  tbi» 
volume. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


28 


Wesley.  But  they  assumed  the  title  of  bishop  instead  of 
superintendent,  even  without  the  consent  of  the  confer- 
ence.* This  assumption  proved  inimical  to  Mr.  Wesley's 
views,  and  drew  forth  from  him  a  very  pointed  rebuke. 
The  same  conference,  in  inaugurating  the  new  dispensa- 
tion, adopted  a  form  of  discipline  for  the  government  of 
the  societies. 

The  writer  takes  no  pleasure  in  presenting  the  great 
fault  of  the  early  Methodist  preachers  in  assuming  exclu- 
sive government  of  the  church.  Towards  them  we  would 
exercise  the  judgment  of  charity.  When,  but  a  handful 
in  number,  they  sat  out,  with  fiery  zeal,  and  amid  great 
opposition,  to  proclaim  the  gospel  to  the  dispersed  thous- 
ands of  American  hearers,  and  raise  up  societies  of 
converts,  it  is  presumable  that  scarcely  any  one  thought  of 
church  government,  much  less  cared  what  form  thereof 
might  be  adopted.  Judge  Hopper,  at  the  time,  an  hon- 
ored and  prominent  layman  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  Maryland,  expressed  himself  thus,  in  an  article 
in  the  Wcskyan  Repository,  March,  1822: 

"  Many  valuable  men  have  been  sacrificed  at  the  altar  of  the 
preachers'  power.  W'e  frankly  admit  that  a  large  majority  of  the 
preachers  who  have  been  put  in  charge  of  our  societies  upon  the 
different  circuits,  have  been  good  men  ;  yet  a  large  number  of  these 
have  been  ignorant,  domineering,  and  rash  in  their  decisions.  We 
are  decidedly  hosiile  to  that  policy  which  gives  the  whole  govern- 
ment of  the  church,  into  the  hands  of  the  ministry.  The  people 
have  no  vote  in  the  choice  of  their  legislators.  They  are  distinct 
from  them,  and  ought  never  to  submit  to  their  legislative  acts  until 
they  shall  become  represented." 

Nicholas  Snethen,  who  entered  the  itinerant  connection 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  as  early  as  1794,  and 
was  conversant  with  the  facts  and  the  parties  referred  to,  in 
an  article  in  the  ]¥cskyan  Repository,  December,  1821,  thus 
writes : 

•Sue  Lee's  History,  page  123. 


30 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"As  the  young  men  began  to  be  advanced  to  the  executive- 
offices,  it  was  interesting  to  observe  how  the  influence  of  power 
operated  upon  the  minds  of  some,  in  transforming  the  simple,  lov- 
ing brother  into  a  man  of  consequence  ;  and  how  the  presiding 
genius  selected  and  moulded  the  subordinate  agents  and  ministers 
of  discipline.  The  principles  and  the  germs  of  a  hierarchy  were 
then  Incorporated  in  the  very  foundation  of  our  primitive  existence. 
Instances  are  not  wanting  in  our  recollection  of  early  times,  of  high- 
handed measures  over  inferior  preachers  and  societies,  which  would 
not  now  be  attempted,  and  if  attempted,  would  not  be  submitted 
to,  such  as  suspending  preachers,  tearing  class  papers,  etc.  The 
dictatorial  manner  in  which  some  of  these  seconds  and  thirds  in 
command  ruled,  furnished  melancholy  evidence  of  undefined  power 
to  supplant  brotherly  love,  and  proves  undeniably  that  in  our 
church  there  is  no  place  to  extol  the  primitive  liberties.  The  choice 
of  all  executive  men  was  then,  as  now,  exclusively  in  the  hands  of 
the  supreme  head.  The  principles  of  the  hierarchy  as  they  were  con- 
stituted in  1784,  were,  with  a  steady  and  undeviating  hand  carried 
into  practice,  and  guarded  with  the  utmost  vigilance.  The  prim- 
itive Methodist  preachers  transmitted  to  us  what  they  themselves 
possessed,  with  the  single  exception  of  trying  and  excluding  mem- 
bers without  the  judgment  of  the  church.  They  had  the  legislative 
and  executive  powers  solely  in  their  own  hands." 

Again,  in  the  ensuing  number  of  the  same  work,  the 
same  writer  has  the  following  : 

"  The  bishops  are  the  center  and  source  of  all  executive  author- 
ity. The  name  of  every  traveling  preacher  in  the  connection  is  on 
the  point  of  their  pens,  and  they  may  write  them  to  what  place 
they  please.  The  oldest  elder  and  presiding  elder  they  may  place 
under  the  youngest.  It  is  not  only  in  the  power  of  bishops  to 
deprive  elders  of  all  executive  agency,  but  also  to  oblige  them  to 
locate.  They  can  appoint  them,  under  the  greatest  family  embar- 
rassment, without  friends  or  credit,  to  a  circuit  which  can  not 
support  a  single  preacher,  and  subject  them  to  a  long  and  expensive 
journey  without  any  means  to  defray  the  expenses." 

That  many  instances  did  occur  in  which  preachers  were 
brought  to  feel  the  oppressive  hand  of  episcopal  power,  as 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


31 


hinted  in  the  above  extract,  has  been  amply  attested  by 
good  men  of  the  times  conversant  with  the  facts.  Not  a 
few  valuable  laborers  felt  themselves  virtually  driven  to 
location,  or  to  enter  other  churches.  Of  course,  almost 
from  the  first,  dissatisfaction  existed,  and  loud  complaints 
were  made  regarding  the  powers  held  by  the  bishops. 
Some  of  the  most  able  and  influential  preachers  led  in  a 
demand  for  reform  in  this  regard.  Even  Dr.  Coke,  then 
himself  a  bishop,  unmistakably  stood  with  them  in  1791, 
declaring  openly  his  opposition  to  the  arbitrary  exercise  of 
power  by  his  colleague, Bishop  Asbury. 


CHAPTER  V. 


CONFERENCE  OF  I  792 — THE  APPEAL  QUESTION — EXCITING  DEBATE 
— WITHDRAWAL  OF  J.  o'KELI.Y  AND  W.  M'KENDREE — THE  PRE- 
SIDING ELDER  QUESTION — DISCUSSED  IN  SUCCESSIVE  GENERAL 
CONFERENCES. 

A  T  the  conference  held  in  Baltimore  in  1792,  the  prevail- 


JTx.  ing  dissatisfaction  culminated  in  an  earnest  movement 
to  abridge  the  powers  of  the  episcopacy,  which  (especially 
the  appointing  power)  were  found  to  be  very  oppressive. 
The  following  resolution  was  introduced  by  James  O'Kelly: 

"  Resolved,  That  after  the  bishop  appoints  the  preachers  at  con- 
ference to  their  several  circuits,  if  any  one  think  himself  injured 
by  the  appointment,  he  shall  have  liberty  to  appeal  to  the  confer- 
ence, and  state  his  objections,  and  if  the  conference  approve  his 
objections,  the  bishop  shall  appoint  him  to  another  circuit." 

Upon  this  resolution  a  long  and  exciting  debate  took 
place,  in  which  William  McKendree  took  an  active  part, 
in  support  of  the  resolution.  From  the  account  given  in 
Lee's  History,  it  continued  through  about  four  days,  finally 
extending  through  a  prolonged  night  session.  Ezekiel 
Cooper,  who  lived  and  died  a  prominent  man  in  the  itin- 
erancy of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  a  communi- 
cation in  the  Wesleyan  Repository,  December,  1823,  thus 
records  some  of  the  terms  used  by  Mr.  McKendree,  in  the 
debate:  "It  is  an  insult  to  my  understanding;  and  such  an 
arbitrary  stretch  of  power,  so  tyrannical  (or  despotic),  that 
I  can  not  (or  will  not)  submit  to  it."  But  the  resolution 
failed;  the  bishop's  party  triumphed.    Hereupon,  Messrs. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


O'Kelly,  McKendree  and  several  other  preachers  with- 
drew, and  this  was  followed  by  the  secession  of  several 
thousands  of  members.  The  statistics  of  the  church  showed 
a  decrease  and  a  backset  for  full  ten  years. 

The  settlement  of  the  appeal  question,  in  the  conference 
of  1792,  and  the  secession  of  Mr.  O'Kelly  and  others,  did 
not  leave  matters  by  any  means  pacified  in  the  Methodist 
connection.  With  the  traveling  preachers  there  was  dissat- 
isfaction regarding  the  bishops'  prerogative,  especially  in 
appointing  the  presiding  elders.  Lee's  History  speaks  of 
the  year  1795  particularly  as  a  year  of  "trouble  and  dis- 
tress," owing  partly  to  the  divisions  that  had  taken  place 
and  partly  to  an  uneasy  and  restless  spirit  that  prevailed  in 
many  places,  and  which  now  extended  among  the  local 
preachers  and  private  members.  For,  the  complaints  of  the 
itinerants  touching  the  powers  of  the  bishops  led  the  people 
to  realize  the  fact  that  they  had  no  check  upon  the  power 
of  the  preachers.  And  even  at  that  early  period  there 
were  those  who  claimed  that  there  should  be  a  lay  delega- 
tion in  the  councils  of  the  church.  This  question  was, 
however,  kept  in  abeyance  for  a  long  period.  But  the 
preachers,  having  failed  to  secure  an  appeal  from  the 
bishops'  appointments,  now  sought  to  have  at  least  a  voice 
in  the  appointment  of  the  presiding  elders.  This  office  had 
thus  far  been  filled  by  appointment  of  the  bishops,  but  the 
progressives  of  that  day  claimed  that  the  presiding  elders 
should  be  elected  by  the  annual  conferences.  The  question 
was  fully  brought  out  in  the  General  Conference  of  1800, 
and  was  renewed  and  discussed,  with  increasing  warmth, 
in  each  successive  general  conference.  Jesse  Lee,  who  was 
called  the  New  England  Apostle  of  Methodism,  was  one 
who  earnestly  contended  for  the  election  of  presiding  elders. 
On  the  floor  of  the  General  Conference  of  1812,  he  waxed 
so  bold  in  pressing  the  motion,  it  is  said  that  Mr.  Asbury, 
the  presiding  bishop,  "to  show  his  dislike  to  the  measure, 


34 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OK  THE 


with  unpardonable  discourtesy,  turned  his  back:  to  the 
speaker,  sitting  with  his  back  to  the  conference.  Yet 
despite  of  the  bishop's  discourteous  conduct,  Lee  went  on 
with  his  speech  and  sturdily  maintained  his  points,  as  he  did 
to  the  end  of  his  life."* 


*See  Dr.  Wise  iu  "Ziun's  Herald." 


CHAPTER  VI. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  lS20- — V RESIDING  ELDER  QUESTION  SET- 
TLED— THEN  UNSETTLED — COUP  D'ETAT  OF  BISHOP  SOULE — 
WAUGH  AND  EMORY — THE  PEOPLE  BEGINNING  TO  AWAKE — 
"WESLEYAN  REPOSITORY  " — SUPPRESSION  OF  INQUIRY  AND  IN- 
VESTIGATION— "  METHODIST  MAGAZINE." 

'"P'HE  presiding  elder  question,  so  long  agitated,  became 
J.  quite  a  celebrity.  The  disputation  culminated  a:  the 
General  Conference  of  1820,  when,  after  warm  discussion, 
a  compromise  was  settled  upon,  concurred  in  by  two-thirds 
of  the  bishops,  and  adopted  by  a  vote  of  over  two-thirds  of 
the  General  Conference.  Resolutions  were  passed  giving 
the  episcopacy  the  right,  when  the  appointment  of  one  or 
more  presiding  elders  is  required,  to  nominate  three  times 
the  number,  out  of  which  the  conference  is  to  elect.*  It 
was  hoped  that  this  would  prove  a  happy  settlement  of  the 
controversy.  But  a  few  days  after,  Joshua  Soule,  who  had 
just  been  elected  to  the  episcopal  office,  communicated  a 
formal  declaration  in  writing,  that  if  ordained  a  bishop  he 
would  not  carry  these  resolutions  into  execution.  This  was 
followed  by  a  protest  against  the  resolutions  by  Bishop 
McKendree. 

After  the  positions  taken  as  above  by  Messrs.  McKen- 
dree and  Soule,  a  motion  was  made  to  reconsider  the  resc- 

*This  measure  had  been  introduced  in  the  General  Conference 
of  181 2  by  Nicholas  Snethen,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  advocates 
of  the  election  of  presiding  ciders.  See  "Snethen  on  Representa- 
tion," page  4. 

35 


K6 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


lutions.  But  this  the  General  Conference,  by  a  solemn 
decision,  refused  to  do.  A  day  or  two  after  a  motion  was 
brought  forward  to  suspend  for  four  years  the  operation  of 
the  resolutions  which  the  conference  had  just  refused  to 
consider,  which  motion  was  ultimately  carried. 

Here  let  it  be  mentioned  that  a  pamphlet  was  afterwards 
issued,  bearing  the  names  of  Beverly  Waugh,  John  Emory 
and  two  other  members  of  the  Baltimore  Conference,  expos- 
ing the  arbitrary  assumptions  of  Messrs.  McKendree  and 
Soule.  In  this  pamphlet  those  gentlemen  say:  "Remem- 
ber the  force  of  precedents.  Remember  the  tenacious 
grasp  with  which  power  is  held  when  once  acquired.  Its 
march  is  ever  onward,  and  its  tremendous  tendency  is  to  accumu- 
lation." Referring  to  the*  proceedings  just  above  recited, 
they  state:  "These  proceedings  gave  a  shock  to  the  confer- 
ence such  as  none  of  us  had  before  witnessed.  And  we 
could  not  feel  ourselves  prepared  to  yield  instantaneous 
submission  to  such  an  unheard  of  assertion  of  prerogative. 
This  claim  of  power,"  they  continue,  "we  did  then  oppose  : 
we  have  ever  since  opposed  it,  and  we  hope  we  shall  never 
cease  to  oppose  it."  They  further  characterize  the  move- 
ment as  an  "unparalleled  measure,"  and  "contrary  to  all 
order,"  and  intimate  that  it  could  not  have  been  carried  but 
by  the  contrivance  of  procuring  signatures  in  the  interval 
of  the  sittings,  barely  enough  to  secure  its  passage.  At 
this  period  of  the  session,  too,  part  of  the  members  had 
left  for  their  homes.  The  resolutions  were  suspended,  and 
were  for  many  years  known  as  the  suspended  resolutions. 
They  were  indeed  suspended,  hung,  till  they  were  dead,  and 
all  efforts  to  resuscitate  them  have  been  unavailing.*  Upon 

*I{  may  be  proper  here  to  state  the  fact  that,  after  the  lapse  of 
fifty-six  years,  in  the  General  Conference  of  1876,  in  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore, after  a  prolonged  discussion  upon  the  presiding  eldership, 
resulting  in  no  essential  change,  the  plan  of  1820,  which  had  been 
once  adopted  and  then  suspended,  was  again  introduced,  in  its  pre' 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


37 


this  case,  Messrs.  Waugh,  Emory,  etc.,  gave  their  em- 
phatic expression  above  quoted,  and  solemnly  warned  their 
brethren  to  be  aware  of  the  encroachments  of  episcopal 
power.  But  somehow  these  gentlemen  became  pacified, 
and,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  were  not  again  known  to  use 
terms  so  harsh  respecting  the  arbitrary  assumptions  of 
power.  The  explanation  may  or  may  not  be  found  in  the 
fact  that,  within  a  few  short  years  thereafter,  both  John 
Emory  and  Beverly  Waugh  were  elected  and  consecrated 
Methodist  bishops  for  life. 

It  was  natural  enough  that  the  agitations,  so  long  pro- 
tracted among  the  preachers,  regarding  the  episcopal  pre- 
rogatives, should  induce  a  spirit  of  inquiry  among  the 
laity,  as  to  their  right  to  have  some  voice  in  the  control  of 
church  affairs.  But  any  utterances  looking  that  way  were 
distasteful  to  the  men  in  power,  and  were  usually  hushed  to 
silence.  And  there  was  no  medium  of  communication  for 
interchange  of  thoughts  on  the  subject.  There  was  not  a 
Methodist  newspaper  issued  anywhere  upon  the  continent. 
The  Methodist  Magazine  (monthly)  was  the  only  periodical 
issued  within  the  connection,  and  it  was  under  the  control 
of  the  party  in  power,  loyal  to  the  episcopacy. 

But  early  in  the  year  1821  William  S.  Stockton,  a  very 
intelligent  and  influential  layman  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  within  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  commenced 
the  publication  of  a  periodical,  in  magazine  form,  called 
the  Wesleyan  Repository.  It  was  first  printed  at  Trenton, 
New  Jersey,  and  afterwards  in  Philadelphia;  was  continued 
for  three  years.  The  editor  opened  its  columns  for  temper- 
ate discussions,  free  from  evil  design  and  tendency,  bearing 

rise  words,  by  Dr.  J.  M.  Walden,  of  Cincinnati,  with  the  proposition 
that  the  same  be  presented  by  the  bishops  to  the  several  annual 
conferences  for  their  concurrence,  and  that  they  report  to  the  ensu- 
ing General  Conference  of  1880,  the  action  of  said  conferences. 
But  the  proposition  was  again  lost! 


A  CONCISE  HISTORV  OF  THE 


on  the  improvement  of  church  discipline.  But  the  work, 
was  ever  loyal  to  the  church,  deprecating  any  tendency  to 
division.  All  its  writers  were  either  ministers  or  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  the  time.  In  this 
work  appeared  a  series  of  able  essays  on  church  polity  by 
Nicholas  Snethen.  But  when  the  independent  character  of 
the  work  became  known,  it  met  with  general  opposition 
from  the  party  interested  in  continuing  the  then  present  state 
of  things.  Vet  the  work  had  an  increasing  circulation 
among  the  members  of  the  church  and  a  portion  of  its- 
ministers,  and  exercised  an  effective  influence  in  promotion 
of  liberal  principles. 

It  is  humiliating  to  note  the  spirit  and  purpose  which 
seemed  to  have  seized  upon  the  power  party  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  to  suppress  investigation  and  crush 
the  spirit  of  reform.  They  seemed  disposed  to  judge  with- 
out examination,  and  condemn  without  a  hearing.  That 
there  were  causes  of  complaint  for  maladministration  or 
for  oppressive  acts  was  notorious.  Volumes  might  be  filled 
with  recitals  of  such  cases.  But  dare  any  one  complain? 
He  is  at  once  charged  with  "speaking  evil  of  ministers." 

Then,  when  the  people  saw  that  there  was  no  redress  of 
grievances,  that  the  laity  had  no  voice,  no  check  upon  the 
power  of  those  who  had  the  rule  over  them,  dare  they  ex- 
press an  opinion  that  this  system  is  in  fault  ?  Dare  they 
speak,  or  write,  or  consult  whether  we  may  not  at  least 
petition  for  some  change,  some  improvement  of  this  church 
polity?  Take  care!  What  would  that  be  but  "inveighing 
against  our  Discipline?"  When,  in  1821  to  1824,  .Mr. 
Stockton  published  the  Wcslcyan  Repository,  the  Methodist 
Magazine,  as  before  mentioned,  was  the  only  official  Meth- 
odist periodical  issued  in  the  land.  Would  the  columns  of 
that  journal  be  open  for  a  single  word  of  plea  for  the  rights 
of  the  laity?  Note  this.  On  the  cover  of  the  Magazine 
for  September,  1823,  was  printed  the  following: 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


39 


"  We  can  not,  consistently  with  our  sense  of  duty  and  of  the 
rules  of  prudence  and  propriety,  admit  into  the  pages  of  our  Maga- 
zine those  subjects  of  controversy  which  go  to  disturb  the  peace 
and  harmony  of  the  church.  The  ear  of  the  General  Conference 
will  be  open  to  hear  the  petitions  and  remonstrances  of  any  who 
think  themselves  aggrieved,  or  who  may  desire  to  communicate 
their  sentiments  on  those  points  of  church  government  about  which 
there  may  be  a  disagreement.  And  that,  we  conceive,  is  the  proper- 
est  place  first  to  discuss  and  decide  upon  all  such  matters." 

What  was  it  but  mockery  to  speak  of  the  General  Con- 
ference having  an  ear  open  to  hear  petitions  of  such  as 
"think  themselves  aggrieved  ! "  What  a  humiliating  dem- 
onstration of  this  was  experienced  in  the  cases  of  aggrieved 
parties  who  sent  petitions  to  the  General  Conference  of  1828, 
the  pages  here  following  will  make  appear. 

Then,  as  the  Magazine  is  not  free,  can  not  a  voice  be 
heard  through  some  other  medium  ?  The  Wcsleyan  Reposi- 
tory was  not  devoted  to  the  subject  of  reform.  But  the 
editor,  in  his  prospectus,  consented  to  give  place  to  "essays 
relating  to  church  government,  discipline  or  usages,  under 
the  proper  restrictions  of  truth,  charity,  peace  and  brotherly 
kindness,  as  enjoined  in  the  gospel."  The  Repository 
claimed,  as  a  principle  of  right,  the  right  of  church  repre- 
sentation by  the  suffrage  of  the  church.  "Did  the  preroga- 
tive men,"  says  Mr.  Stockton,  "the  men  whose  will  was  the 
only  rule  of  the  church,  attempt  to  make  this  a  disputable 
point,  and  argue  it  in  the  Repository,  as  they  were  invited  to 
do?  Nay,  they  published  all  abroad  that  the  work  was  full 
of  lies  and  misrepresentations;  that  it  is  opposed  to  govern- 
ment, and  leads  to  anarchy  and  division."  In  reply,  Mr. 
Snethen  demanded : 

"Is  italic,  a  falsehood,  a  misrepresentation,  that  the  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  have  not  now,  and  never  had, 
a  voice  in  the  General  Conference?  Is  it  a  lie  to  say  it  is  their 
right?  If  not,  then  the  Repository  is  not  full  of  lies,  etc.,  and  does 
not  favor  anarchy  and  division." 


40 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Cornelius  Springer,  then  a  prominent  itinerant  minister 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Ohio,  wrote  thus  to 
Mr.  Stockton  during  his  third  volume,  1824: 

"When  your  publication  first  made  its  appearance  in  the  West- 
ern country,  about  eighteen  months  since,  the  managing  spirits, 
like  the  porcupine,  raised  all  their  quills  in  opposition  thereto. 
And  if  any  person  dared  speak  in  approbation  of  it,  he  was  sure  to 
get  some  severe  jogs  from  that  quarter.  Some  of  the  would-be 
great  men  sent  out  heavy  menacings  and  threatenings  against  your 
readers  and  patrons." 

As  of  the  Wesleya?i  Repository  so  of  the  Mutual  Rig/its, 
when  it  afterwards  took  the  place  of  the  former.  It  must 
be  discarded,  ruled  out !  The  adherents  of  the  power  party- 
condemn  the  publication,  often  without  examination,  and 
oppose  its  circulation.  And  as  the  investigation  must  be 
suppressed,  "that  it  extend  no  further  among  the  people," 
the  publishers  and  patrons  of  the  work  must  be  proscribed 
and  cut  off  from  the  fellowship  of  the  church! 


CHAPTER  VII. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF    1824 — MEMORIALS   FROM    THE  LAITY  

LORDLY  RESPONSE  —  IMPORTANT  MEETING  OF  REFORMERS  — 
ORGANIZATION  OK  UNION  SOCIETIES — "THE  MUTUAL  RIGHTS" 
— THE  POWER  PARTY  TAKE  OFFENCE  AND  OPPOSE. 

VARIOUS  memorials  were  presented  to  the  General 
Conference  held  in  Baltimore  in  1824,  praying  that 
such  modification  be  made  in  the  form  of  church  govern- 
ment as  to  admit  a  representation  from  the  laity  into  the  annual 
conferences,  or,  at  least,  into  the  General  Conference,  the 
memorialists  believing  that  such  arrangement  would  be  but 
according  to  the  laity  their  just  rights  and  privileges,  as 
Christians  and  as  Methodists.  In  reply,  the  General  Con- 
ference adopted  and  issued  a  circular,  declaring  the  change 
prayed  for  inexpedient,  and  using  the  following  emphatic 
words : 

"  If  by  rights  and  privileges  it  is  intended  to  signify  something 
foreign  from  the  institutions  of  the  church,  as  we  received  them  from 
our  fathers,  pardon  us  if  we  know  no  such  rights,  and  if  we  do  not 
comprehend  such  privileges." 

Near  the  close  of  the  session,  when  it  was  evident  that 
the  prayer  of  the  memorialists  would  not  be  granted,  a 
meeting  of  Reformers  was  held  in  the  same  city  of  Balti- 
more, embracing  itinerant  and  lccal  ministers  and  laymen 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  from  various  parts  of 
the  United  States.  One  who  was  present  testifies,  in  a 
printed  account,  that  not  less  than  seventeen  members  of  the 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


General  Conference  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  de- 
liberations. All  were  of  one  mind  in  the  opinion  that  the 
local  ministry  and  the  laity  ought  to  have  representation  in 
the  councils  of  the  church.  It  was  agreed  that  the  minds 
of  the  people  should  be  enlightened,  and  that  this  should 
be  done  through  the  medium  of  the  press.  It  was  deter- 
mined that  a  periodical  should  be  published,  advocating 
representation,  to  be  called  "The  Mutual  Rights  of  the  Min- 
isters and  Members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  It 
was  also  determined  that  the  Reformers  should  organize 
themselves  into  Union  Societies  in  their  various  localities, 
throughout  the  country,  for  the  interchange  of  views,  and 
for  the  purpose  of  concei  ted  action  in  petitioning  the  ensu- 
ing General  Conference.  It  was  distinctly  announced  and 
reiterated  that  the  object  of  this  periodical  and  of  the 
Union  Societies  was  by  no  means  to  alienate  any  from  the 
church,  or  induce  them  to  leave  her  communion,  but  to- 
exhort  them  to  cleave  to  her  -to  the  last  extremity,  and  to 
unite  as  one  man  in  a  mutual  and  general  effort  to  obtain  a 
representative  form  of  church  government,  which  should 
extend  to  the  people  as  well  as  to  the  preachers. 

The  proposed  work  was  accordingly  commenced  in  Au- 
gust, 1S24,  was  issued  in  Baltimore,  and  was  continued  for 
four  years.  It  contained  the  arguments  for  and  against  rep- 
resentation— was  no  one-sided  affair.  If  harsh  expressions 
occurred,  they  were  found  on  both  sides.  It  must  be  admit- 
ted that  the  work  was.  upon  the  whole,  conducted  temperately. 
Asa  Shinn  became  a  leading  writer  in  its  pages  in  behalf  of 
Reform,  wielding  a  powerful  pen.  George  Brown  also  be- 
came an  effective  writer  in  the  same  work. 

Many  itinerants  at  first  patronized  the  Mutual  Righisr 
and  some  of  them  circulated  and  recommended  it.  But  the 
circulation  of  the  work  was  soon  found  to  be  obnoxious  in 
the  eyes  of  all  favorable  to  the  existing  state  of  things.  Its 
name  stood  prominent  in  their  11  Index  Expurgatorius,"  And 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


43 


the  friends  of  reform  were  dignified  with  the  appellations, 
Radicals,  backsliders,  disturbers  of  the  peace,  etc.  It  now 
became  a  common  thing  for  disabilities  to  be  laid  upon 
persons  known  to  be  favorable  to  reform.  Licenses  were 
refused,  recommendations  for  deacon's  or  elder's  orders  or 
for  admission  into  the  itinerancy  were  disregarded.  Changes 
were  made  in  the  office  of  leader,  so  as  to  displace  Reformers, 
regardless  of  their  qualificatins  or  usefulness,  or  the  wishes 
of  their  members. 

Meanwhile,  Union  Societies  were  organized  in  many 
places  throughout  the  country.  It  is  not  saying  too  much 
to  state  that  they  usually  embraced  the  most  intelligent  por- 
tions of  the  membership,  and  persons  not  inferior  to  any 
others  in  piety  or  respectability.  Yet,  though  their  assemblies 
were,  so  far  as  we  know,  conducted  dispassionately,  digni- 
fiedly  and  religiously,  they  were  denounced  as  disorderly, 
and  their  members  as  enemies  of  the  church.  The  writer 
had  the  honor  to  be  a  member  and  a  constant  attendant  at 
the  meetings  of  the  Cincinnati  Union  Society  until  its  dis- 
continuance, in  1828. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


BALTIMORE  CONFERENCE — EXPULSION  OK  DENNIS  B.  DORSEY  AND 
WM.  C.  POOL — BASCOM'S  REBUKE — EXPULSIONS  IN  BALTIMORE 
AND  OTHER   PLACES — GENERAL  CONVENTION  OF  1827. 

\  T  the  session  of  the  Baltimore  Conference,  April,  1827, 
JTx.  Dennis  B.  Dorsey,  then  a  young  minister,  was  charged 
•with  having  been  actively  engaged  in  the  circulation  of  an 
improper  periodical  work.  The  evidence  was,  a  letter  writ- 
ten to  a  brother  preacher  of  the  same  conference,  in  which  he 
gave  him  information  of  a  work  on  church  government, 
published  in  Baltimore,  by  a  committee  of  preachers  and 
members,  "exposing  some  of  the  errors  of  our  government 
and  administration."  He  further  stated  that  the  work  was 
a  satisfactory  one — well  worth  his  attention  ;  that  he  was 
pleased  with  it.  Such  was  the  purport  of  the  letter — little 
more.  The  accused  was  required  to  pledge  himself  to  de- 
sist from  taking  any  agency  in  spreading  or  supporting  any 
publication  in  opposition  to  our  discipline  ot  government. 
Believing  this  dictation  to  be  unreasonable  and  arbitrary, 
he  could  not  conscientiously  give  any  such  pledge.  In 
refusing,  he  was  deemed  guilty  of  contumacy  to  the  author- 
ity of  the  conference,  was  left  without  an  appointment  for 
a  year,  and  at  the  ensuing  session,  1828,  he  was  recorded 
as  expelled,  no  charge  having  been  alleged  against  him 
save  his  course  as  a  reformer. 

At  the  same  conference  Wm.  C.  Pool  was  also  expelled 
upon  charges  of  circulating  the  Mutual  Riglits,  and  for 
taking  part  in  a  Union  Society  meeting.    His  presiding 
44 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


45 


elder  testified  before  the  conference  that  there  was  nothing 
against  his  moral  character.  His  trial  was  conducted  under 
circumstances  of  the  most  tyrannic.)  1  unfairness,  as  related 
by  a  member  of  the  conference  in  a  published  account.* 

After  the  expulsion  of  Mr.  Dorsey  by  the  Baltimore 
Conference,  the  act  received  the  most  scathing  denuncia- 
tion by  Henry  1!.  Bascom,  a  prominent  itinerant  minister 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  an  article  in  the 
Mutual  Rights,  lie  characterized  it  as  an  "overbearing  act  of 
abandoned  tyranny ,"  and  as  "a  labored  deed  of  hard-earned 
infamy."  Yet  this  Dr.  Bascom  was  cherished  in  high  places 
in  the  church  until  the  separation  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  South,  when,  going  with  that  division,  he  was 
soon  elevated  to  the  Episcopal  office,  in  the  exercise  of 
which  he  soon  after  died. 

The  Reformers  in  Baltimore,  and  the  Mutual  Rights 
published  there,  did  not  hesitate  to  express  disapproval  of 
the  persecution  of  Mr.  Dorsey  by  the  Baltimore  Confer- 
ence. This  was  of  course  offensive  to  those  in  power;  and 
in  the  fall  of  1827  an  earnest  attempt  was  made  by  the 
clerical  authorities  in  that  city  to  crush  out  reform,  and 
put  an  end  to  the  Mutual  Rights  publication.  Eleven  local 
preachers  and  twenty-two  laymen  were  expelled  in  Balti- 
more for  their  adherence  to  the  cause  of  reform  and  their 
agency  in  promoting  it.  This  was  during  the  month  of 
September.  The  first  victim  was  Dr.  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  a 
man  of  high  standing  in  the  community,  but  connected  with 
the  obnoxious  publication.  Some  of  those  excommunicated 
preachers  and  laymen  were  among  the  most  respected  citi- 
zens, and  were  in  the  church  regarded  as  holy  and  unex- 
ceptionable men,  save  that  the  taint  of  reform  was  upon 
them.  They  were  tried  by  committees  of  anti-reformers — 
packed  juries — who  had  prejudged  their  case,  and  though 
they  were  repeatedly  objected  to  by  the  accused  as  disqual- 

*See  Jennings'  Exposition,  page  219. 


46 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ified  for  doing  them  justice,  yet  they  were  retained  by  the 
preacher  in  charge,  and  of  course  the  victims  were  found 
guilty  and  expelled. 

The  following  statement  is  from  the  hand  of  James  JR.. 
Williams,  one  of  the  expelled  ministers,  in  his  own  words : 

"  The  preachers  carried  up  their  cases  to  the  District  Conference 
that  sat  on  the  26th  December,  1827,  which  was  their  proper  court 
of  trial.  Here  they  expected  to  have  justice  done  them,  as  a 
majority  of  the  conference  were  Reformers,  lint  on  the  morning 
of  the  second  day,  after  holding  a  caucus  the  preceding  evening, 
the  presiding  elder,  with  a  minority  of  the  conference,  and  the  votes 
of  nine  colored  men,  who  were  not  entitled  to  a  vote,  DISSOLVED  the 
District  Conference,  and  ordered  the  preachers  to  appear  at  the 
■Quarterly  Conference  and  stand  their  trials.  Indignant  at  this 
unexpected  act  of  injustice,  the  preachers  determined  not  to  appear 
before  the  Quarterly  Conference,  but  to  appeal  to  the  approaching 
annual  conference  against  the  arbitrary  and  illegal  proceedings  of 
the  presiding  elder.  In  the  meantime,  the  Quarterly  Conference 
•expelled  them  all."* 

The  names  of  the  ministers  and  preachers  expelled  in 
Baltimore  are  as  follows:  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  Daniel  E. 
Reese,  James  R.  Williams.  William  Kesley,  Thomas  McCor- 
mick,  Luther  J.  Cox.  John  S.  Reese,  John  C.  French, 
Reuben  T.  Boyd,  John  Valiant,  Alexander  McCaine. 

The  names  of  the  laymen  expelled  were  as  follows  : 
John  Chappell,  John  J.  Harrod,  Wesley  Starr,  John  Ken- 
nard,  William  K.  Boyle,  Arthur  Emmerson,  Ebene/er  Stra- 
han,  John  H.  YV.  Hawkins,  Thomas  Patterson,  Samuel 
Krebs,  Thomas  Parsons,  Thomas  Jarrett,  John  Gephart, 
Jr.,  John  P.  Howard,  Levi  R.  Reese,  Lambert  Thomas, 
Samuel  Jarrett,  James  R.  Forman,  George  Northerman, 
Samuel  Thompson,  Samuel  Guest,  John  P.  Paul. 

It  is  no  misrepresentation  to  characterize  the  above 
stated  proceedings  as  arbitrary,  or  evei)  tyrannical.  It  has 
been  asserted  that  the  committee  appointed  to  try  the 

•Williams'  History,  page  192. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


accused  ministers,  many  of  the  latter  being  men  of  high 
culture  and  intelligence,  consisted  of  three  of  the  most 
illiterate  local  preachers  in  the  State  of  Maryland.* 

The  expelled  laymen  and  ministers  in  Baltimore,  in  their 
■extraordinary  emergency,  appealed  to  the  great  Head  oi 
Church,  united  under  an  instrument  of  association,  taking 
the  Holy  Scriptures  as  their  guide,  and  adopting  the  Gen- 
eral Rules  of  John  and  Charles  Wesley. 

A  solemn  meeting  was  convened  of  female  members  oi 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  including  the  wives  and 
friends  of  those  who  had  been  expelled.  This  meeting, 
after  calm  deliberation  as  to  what  course  they  should  pur- 
sue in  the  sad  exigency  which  was  upon  them,  appointed  a 
committee  of  nine  ladies  to  prepare  a  report.  Their  report 
was  adopted  at  a  subsequent  meeting.  It  embraced  a 
declaration  of  sentiments  regarding  the  late  church  pro- 
ceedings, in  which  they  say  : 

"  Believing  that  the  ruling  authorities  have  greatly  abused  the 
power  they  hold,  to  the  injury  of  the  cause- of  religion,  in  that  they 
have  suspended  eleven  local  preachers  and  twenty-two  laymen,  by 
what  we  consider  improper  measures,  for  aiding  the  cause  of 
reform,  and  have  treated  others  hardly  whom  they  have  not  ex- 
pelled, and  have  for  the  same  cause  deprived  most  of  our  former 
class-leaders  of  their  official  standing,  which  preachers,  leaders  and 
members  are  our  companions,  fathers,  children,  or  highly  esteemed 
brethren,  in  whom  we  have  the  fullest  Christian  confidence.  There- 
fore, for  these  and  other  considerations,  we  have  determined  to  dis- 

•  "  At  the  General  Conference  of  1S24  a  motion  was  made  that 
any  member  about  to  be  tried  should  have  some  share  in  the  choice 
of  the  committee  appointed  to  try  him;  and  that  he  should  be 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  charges  preferred  against  him  a  cer- 
tain number  of  days  before  the  trial,  in  order  that  he  might  be  pre- 
pared for  his  defence  and  witnesses  ;  but  the  motion  was  opposed 
and  defeated,  on  the  ground  of  its  being  an  infringement  on  the 
executive  administration;  or,  in  other  words,  it  would  lessen  the 
power  and  authority  of  the  traveling  preachers.'" — Mutual  Rights  and 
Christian  Intelligencer,  page  66. 


48 


A   CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


solve  our  connection  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  to 
address  a  joint  letter  to  Rev.  James  M.  Hanson,  preacher  in  charge, 
requesting  certificates  of  our  acceptable  st;  n  ling." 

They  further  declare  "that  they  have  not  been  influenced 
to  adopt  this  measure  by  the  persuasion  or  constraint  of 
their  husbands,  relatives  or  friends,  but  from  a  deliberate 
conviction  of  duty  to  their  God,  to  themselves,  and  to  their 
injured  friends  and  brethren."  To  their  letter  of  with- 
drawal were  appended  the  nanYes  of  nearly  fifty  noble 
Christian  women.  They  at  once  united  with  the  associa- 
tion of  the  expelled  brethren.  Large  accessions  to  their 
number  were  shortly  received  by  the  association,  and  with 
them  Dennis  B.  Dorsey,  William  C.  Pool  and  William 
Bawdon,  ministers. 

Meanwhile,  expulsions  of  Reformers  took  place,  in  the 
usually  arbitrary  method,  in  several  other  portions  of  the 
country. 

In  November,  1827,  was  held  a  General  Convention  of 
Reformers,  at  Baltimore,  from  various  parts  of  the  United 
States.  After  several  days'  harmonious  deliberation,  a 
memorial  to  the  forthcoming  General  Conference  of  1828 
was  agreed  upon,  praying  for  representation,  and  also  an 
address  to  the  Methodist  public. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  182S — MEMORIAL  AND  APPEALS — ASA 
SHINN'S  ABLE  DEFENSE,  BUT  SAD  FAILURE— EXPULSIONS  CON- 
FIRMED— DISHONORABLE  TERMS  OF  RESTORATION — OTHER  EX- 
PULSIONS— FATE  OF  THE  MEMORIAL — THE  PRONUNCIAMENTO 
OF  THE  -'DIVINELY  AUTHORIZED  " — A  PARALLELISM. 

\  T  the  General  Conference  of  1828,  held  at  Pittsburgh. 
JTx.  were  presented  the  appeals  of  Dennis  B.  Dorsey  and 
William  C.  Pool,  who  had  been  expelled  by  the  Baltimore 
Conference.  The  memorial  also  of  the  expelled  brethren 
of  Baltimore  was  presented,  setting  forth  the  illegality  and 
unrighteousness  of  the  proceedings  ijn  their  case,  and  pray- 
ing that  measures  be  taken  for  their  restoration  to  the 
church,  and  also  their  friends  who  have  withdrawn  on  their 
account.  The  appellants  were  defended  by  Asa  Shinn  in 
a  clear,  powerful  and  masterly  speech.  Some  were  moved 
to  tears,  and  many  were  filled  with  sympathy  for  the  injured 
ones  so  unjustly  excluded.  It  is  believed  that  had  the  vote 
been  taken  that  afternoon,  the  appellants  would  have  been 
triumphantly  sustained.  But  the  chair  announced  the  tak- 
ing of  the  vote  the  next  morning.  This  gave  time  for  ample 
caucusing  and  management  by  the  anti-Reformers,  who, 
when  the  vote  was  finally  taken,  carried  their  point  against 
the  appellants.  Mr.  Shinn  was  so  overwhelmed  with  dis- 
appointment and  grief,  to  realize  that  such  a  dignified  body 
of  Christian  ministers  should  be  found  capable  of  consumma- 
ting an  act  so  unrighteous  and  so  cruel,  that  he  shortly  after 
sunk  into  despondency,  and  went  into  a  spell  of  insanity, 
which  continued  for  about  half  a  year. 


50 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  action  of  the  General  Conference,  in  reply  to  the 
memorial  of  the  expelled  brethren,  "affectionately  advises 
that  no  further  proceedings  be  had,  in  any  part  of  our 
work,  against  any  member  or  minister  on  account  of  any 
past  agency  or  concern"  in  relation  to  the  Mutual  Rights  or 
to  any  Union  Society.  The  terms  of  restoration  for  any 
who  stand  as  expelled  or  withdrawn  were  thus  announced: 

"  If  any  persons  expelled  as  aforesaid  feel  free  to  concede  that 
publications  have  appeared  in  said  Mutual  Rights,  the  nature  and 
character  of  which  were  unjustifiably  inflammatory,  and  do  not 
admit  of  vindication;  and  that  in  others,  though  for  want  of 
proper  information,  or  unintentionally,  have  yet  in  fact  misrepre- 
sented individuals  and  facts,  and  that  they  regret  these  things.  If 
it  be  voluntarily  agreed  also  that  the  Union  Societies  above  alluded 
to  shall  be  abolished,  and  the  periodical  called  the  Mutual  Rightshz 
discontinued  at  the  close  of  the  current  volume,  which  shall  be 
completed  in  due  respect  to  the  conciliatory  and  pacific  design  of 
this  arrangement,  then  this  General  Conference  does  hereby  give 
authority  for  their  restoration  to  their  ministry  or  membership,  re- 
spectively, in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  any  person  or 
persons,  so  expelled  as  aforesaid  ;  provided,  this  arrangement  shall 
be  mutually  assented  to  by  any  individual  or  individuals  so  ex- 
pelled, and  also  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  Conference,  and  the  min- 
ister or  preacher  having  the  charge  of  any  circuit  or  station,  within 
which  any  such  expulsion  may  have  taken  place,  and  that  no  such 
minister  or  preacher  shall  be  obliged,  under  this  arrangement,  to 
restore  any  such  individual  as  leader  of  any  class,  unless  in  his  own 

discretion  he  shall  judge  it  proper  so  to  do  It  is 

further  understood,  that  any  individuals  who  may  have  withdrawn 
from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  account  of  any  proceed- 
ings in  relation  to  the  premises,  may  also  be  restored  by  mutual  con- 
sent, under  this  arrangement,  on  the  same  principles  above  stated." 

We  give  almost  entire  the  text  of  this  wonderful,  cor- 
ciliatory  proposition,  that  the  reader  may  see  unmistakably 
how  full  it  is  of  "mercy  and  good  fruits,"  and  that  we  de- 
tract not  a  whit  from  its  merits. 

Now,  Reformers  were  expelled  in  various  parts  of  the 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


■r)l 


United  States,  though  nothing  immoral  was  laid  to  their 
charge.  Many  hundreds  seceded  on  account  of  the  expul- 
sions, who  were  in  good  standing,  not  even  charged,  as 
were  the  excommunicated  ones.  Yet  these  auke  were 
proffered  the  possible,  yet  doubtful,  privilege  of  being  re- 
stored to  church  fellowship,  by  submitting  to  humiliating 
terms,  which  would  be  discreditable  to  a  Turkish  court. 
They  were  to  approach  the  very  party  who  were  their  per- 
secutors, or  executioners,  and  concede  something  which 
may  not  be  true,  and  make  acknowledgment,  with  regrets, 
of  something  of  which  they  may  not  be  convinced,  to  give 
up  their  periodical,  and  relinquish  their  right  to  free  inves- 
tigation, which  every  American  citizen  holds  dear  !  In 
such  case,  the  humiliated  parties  may  be  restored  to  the 
ministry  or  membership,  provided  this  be  assented  to  by  the 
quarterly  conference,  and  by  the  minister  or  preacher  hav- 
ing charge  of  the  circuit  or  station ! 

At  this  writing,  more  than  two  score  years  have  passed 
away,  and  we  have  not  yet  known  an  instance  in  which  any 
one  of  the  expelled  or  withdrawn  parties  so  far  sacrificed 
his  manhood  as  to  submit  to  such  humiliation.  Yet  such 
humiliation  is  required  in  the  conciliatory  proposal  of  the 
General  Conference  of  1828,  which  has  never  been  recon- 
sidered or  modified,  so  far  as  we  can  learn. 

Touching  the  terms  of  restoration,  as  above  stated,  the 
late  George  Brown  once  expressed  himself  to  the  effect  that 
"intelligent  men  have  in  them  too  high  a  sense  of  Christian 
honor  to  do  a  thing  so  degrading  as  to  abandon  their  un- 
doubted rights,  denude  themselves  of  the  very  manhood 
belonging  to  American  citizens  and  Christians,  and  come 
down  into  the  dust  in  deep  humiliation  before  a  quarterly 
conference  and  preacher  in  charge,  to  purchase  back  their 
lost  standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  with  the 
liability,  after  all,  of  being  rejected,  and  left  out  in  the 
cold." 


52 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  memorial  addressed  to  the  General  Conference  of 
1828,  regarding  lay  representation,  was  answered  in  a 
published  report,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract: 

"The  great  Head  of  the  Church  himself  has  imposed  upon  us 
the  duty  of  preaching  the  Gospel,  of  administering  its  ordinances, 
and  of  maintaining  its  moral  discipline  among  those  over  whom  the 
Holy  Ghost,  in  these  respects,  has  made  us  overseers.  Of  these 
also,  namely,  of  Gospel  doctrines,  ordinances  and  moral  discipline, 
we  do  believe  that  the  divinely  instituted  ministry  are  the  divinely 
authorized  expounders;  and  that  the  duty  of  maintaining  them  in 
their  purity,  and  of  not  permitting  our  ministrations  in  these  re- 
spects to  be  authoritatively  controlled  by  others  [namely,  the  laity}, 
does  rest  upon  us  with  the  force  of  a  moral  obligation,  in  the  dis- 
charge of  which  our  consciences  are  involved." 

The  Catholic  Telegraph,  published  at  Cincinnati,  con- 
ducted by  a  very  observant  priest  of  the  order,  shortly  after 
republished  this  Methodist  Episcopal  pronunciamento,  with 
the  apt  remark  that  the  Catholic  Church  never  set  up  a 
higher  claim  to  power  than  was  contained  in  this  document  1 
The  memorialists  of  1828  were,  of  course,  put  to  silence, 
and  the  cause  of  lay  representation  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  was  set  back  for  forty  years.  The  expelled 
and  expatriated  brethren  were  now  providentially  constrained 
to  form  separate  religious  organizations,  which  at  first  were 
denominated  Associated  Methodist  Churches. 


CHAPTER  X. 


PERSECUTION  OF  REFORMERS  RENEWED — TRIALS  AND  EXPULSIONS 
AT  CINCINNATI — ACTION  OF  TRUSTEES— SECESSION  OF  1828 — 
INEFFECTUAL  APPEALS. 

AFTER  the  "affectionate"  advice  of  the  General  Con- 
ference of  1828  was  promulgated,  "that  no  further 
proceedings  be  had  against  any  member  or  minister  for  past 
agency"  regarding  the  Mutual  Rights  or  Union  Societies,  it 
was  expected  that  the  violent  measures  against  Reformers 
would  cease.  But,  on  the  contrary,  they  were  very  soon 
renewed.  The  occasion,  if  any  occasion  were  wanting, 
may  have  been  that,  at  meetings  of  Reformers,  sympathy 
was  of  course  expressed  every-where  for  the  expelled,  and 
the  course  of  the  General  Conference  was  disapproved. 

Cincinnati  now  becomes  the  chief  scene  of  action.  The 
Union  Society  of  that  place  had  been  organized  November 
17th,  1825.  Its  membership  included  most  of  the  leading, 
influential  members  of  the  church.  The  writer  has  in  pos- 
session the  records  of  the  society,  with  list  of  120  names, 
all  males,  and  nearly  all,  he  believes,  heads  of  families. 
The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Cincinnati  being  incor- 
porated under  State  law,  held  annual  elections  for  trustees. 
For  some  time  previous  to  the  church  difficulties,  the  Reform- 
ers constituted  a  majority  of  the  church  membership.  In 
proof  of  this,  to  the  very  last,  they  elected,  by  a  large  ma- 
jority, the  board  of  trustees,  under  their  charter,  against 
the  most  earnest  efforts  of  the  Old  Side  brethren  to  eject 
tnein  and  introduce  a  new  board.    But  the  interest  taken  in 

53 


54 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


reform  was  so  objectionable  to  the  clerical  authorities  that 
decisive  efforts  must  be  made  to  counteract  it.  It  was 
determined  that  a  certain  number  should  be  made  victims 
of,  in  the  hope  of  intimidating  the  rest.  Rather  a  singular 
method  of  controlling  the  enlightened  judgment  of  intelli- 
gent American  Christians,  in  this  nineteenth  century!  It 
succeeded,  indeed,  with  weak  and  unsteady  minds,  and 
hence  the  diminished  number  of  those  who  stood  fast  in  the 
final  crisis. 

When  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  became 
known  at  Cincinnati,  the  Union  Society  met  and  appointed 
a  committee  of  five  to  receive  the  report  of  that  body  and 
report  thereon.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  the  society  re- 
ceived and  adopted  the  report  of  its  committee.  The 
course  of  the  expelled  brethren  of  Baltimore  was  approved, 
in  rejecting  proposals  which  were  partial  and  unjust.  It 
was  decided  that  neither  the  Mutual  Rights  nor  the  Union 
Society  should  at  present  be  given  up ;  that  whatever  we 
can  safely  surrender  to  our  Old  Side  brethren  for  peace  and 
quietness'  sake,  we  feel  disposed  to  do.  But  the  liberty  of 
speech,  and  of  the  press,  with  the  right  to  assemble  peace- 
ably and  orderly,  to  discuss  church  government  or  any 
other  lawful  subject  we  may  think  proper  to  take  up,  is  what 
we  can  not  relinquish  to  any  human  authority  whatever. 

On  July  14th,  1828,  four  ministers  and  ten  laymen,  who 
were  members  of  the  Union  Society,  were  waited  upon  by 
four  Old  Side  brethren,  who  proved  to  be  a  prosecuting  com- 
mittee. The  fourteen  were  each  examined  as  to  their  will- 
ingness to  accept  a  certain  paper,  agreeing  to  relinquish  the 
Mutual  Rights  and  the  Union  Society.  This,  of  course, 
was  not  acceded  to.  Charges  were  then,  a  few  days  after, 
prepared  against  them,  severally.  The  ministers  accused 
were  John  Haughton,  David  English,  Jesse  B.  Dorman  and 
William  Young.  The  laymen  were  Moses  Lyon,  George 
Lee,  Henry  Handy,  William  L.  Chappell,  John  Garrison, 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


55 


Isaac  Snyder,  James  Foster,  Thomas  Wright,  Ezekiel  Hall. 
Stephen  Ashley.  They  were  men  of  unexceptionable  moral 
standing,  most  of  them  holding  official  relations  in  the 
church.  Many  of  them  were  of  the  most  honored  citizens, 
as  well  as  devoted  Christians.  Their  offense  was,  that  they 
saw  the  necessity  of  a  modification  of  the  government  of 
the  church,  and  had  the  independence  to  declare  it.  As 
the  charge  of  immorality  was  disavowed,  it  may  well  be 
asked:  What  law  had  they  violated?  The  reader  would  be 
curious  to  know  by  what  process  of  law  could  their  cases  be 
reached.  It  did  indeed  require  legal  sagacity.  Their 
offenses  were  found  to  be  actionable  in  the  following  re- 
spects :  They  were  charged  with  "sowing  dissentions  among 
brethren,"  with  "inveighing  against  the  Discipline,"  and 
with  "speaking  evil  of  ministers"  (objecting  to  the  preroga- 
tives of  ministers),  after  Waugh,  Emory,  Bascom,  etc.  (and 
we  might  even  add  Dr.  Coke  and  William  McKendree), 
had  set  them  the  example!  Now,  we  are  assured  that 
among  the  British  Wesleyans  it  is  understood  that  the  intent 
of  Mr.  Wesley  in  the  General  Rules,  forbidding  to  speak 
evil  of  ministers,  was  to  have  reference  to  the  civil  magis- 
trate or  minister  of  state,  and  not  to  the  gospel  minister : 
and  such,  we  might  show,  was  the  view  taken  by  Bishops 
Coke  and  Asbury,  in  their  Notes  on  the  Discipline. 

Several  of  the  accused  persons  applied  to  the  preacher 
in  charge,  John  F.  Wright,  for  the  privilege  understood  to 
be  accorded  in  the  Discipline,  to  have  their  cases  tried  be- 
fore the  society  of  which  they  were  members.  This  was 
refused.  The  committee  of  trial,  selected  by  the  preacherT 
was  composed  of  persons  inimical  to  the  cause  of  reform. 

The  trustees  now  determined  to  convene  a  meeting  of 
the  church.  The  preachers  endeavored  to  prevent  the 
announcement  of  the  notices  in  the  congregations,  as  they 
were  doubtless  aware  that  a  majority  of  the  members  would 
disapprove  of  the  prosecutions.    Yet  a  very  considerable 


56 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


number  attended  the  meeting.  Resolutions  were  passed, 
disapproving  the  proceedings  as  uncalled  for  and  unjust, 
suggesting  respectfully  to  the  preacher  in  charge  the  with- 
drawing of  the  prosecutions,  but  directing,  in  case  this 
should  be  disregarded,  that  the  trustees  of  the  station  take 
such  measures  to  enforce  compliance  as  they  may  deem 
necessary.  The  preacher  was  officially  advised  of  this 
action,  but  he  determined  to  proceed. 

On  August  14th  took  place  the  trial  of  the  local  preachers. 
A  committee  had  been  selected  from  the  country,  consist- 
ing of  three  local  preachers.  Two  of  them  were  of  ac- 
knowledged piety  and  integrity,  but  age  and  infirmity  had 
so  impaired  their  mental  and  physical  powers  that  they 
should  have  been  deemed  disqualified  to  serve.  One  of 
them  had  evidently  reached  his  second  childhood.  Yet  to 
them  no  objection  was  offered.  But  as  for  the  third  man, 
the  preacher  in  charge  had  previously  been  notified  by 
William  Young  that  he  should  object  to  him  as  incapable  of 
doing  him  justice,  he  having  entered  so  warmly  into  the 
controversy  as  to  say,  as  it  was  proven,  that  the  Reformers, 
every  one,  ought  to  be  expelled  the  church.  Yet,  though 
all  the  accused  persons  remonstrated,  this  man  was  retained 
on  the  committee.  A  sworn  deposition  testified  that  after 
hearing  all  the  evidence,  and  after  the  parties  had  re- 
tired from  the  house,  the  aged  Daniel  Duval,  one  of  the 
committee,  said  emphatically  and  repeatedly  that  he  did  not 
B52  that  the  brethren  (the  accmed)  had  done  any  harm — 
that  he  had  done  as  much  himself.  Three  of  the  accused 
made  defense  before  the  committee,  the  fourth  one  declined 
it  as  of  no  avail.  Brother  Dorman  said  in  his  defense  that 
he  had  never  patronized  the  Mutual  Rights — that  he  had 
been  favored  with  the  use  of  it  by  an  Old  Side  brother  1 

Next  morning,  as  was  expected,  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee was  announced,  declaring  the  accused  guilty  of  the 
charges,  and  they  stood  suspended  till  next  meeting  of  the 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


57 


Quarterly  Conference.  Now,  when  Mr.  Wright  came  to 
the  station  a  majority  of  the  official  body  were  Reformers, 
but  he  had  exercised  his  prerogative  in  changing  class-lead- 
ers and  otherwise,  thus  managing  to  turn  the  scale  to  meet 
his  views.  Meanwhile,  a  majority  of  the  accused  and  ex- 
pelled, as  before  mentioned,  held  official  relations  until 
these  proceedings  commenced,  and  other  official  men  had 
withdrawn  from  the  church.  This  left  the  preacher  to  have 
matters  in  his  own  way. 

On  the  ensuing  day  (August  15th)  the  trial  of  the  ten  lay- 
men came  on.  The  committee  of  trial  consisted  of  seven 
stanch  Old  Side  men.  When  the  prosecution  was  opened, 
the  ten  accused  brethren  rose  from  their  seats,  and  Ezekiel 
Hall,  as  their  spokesman,  read  a  note,  setting  forth  that 
they  claim  the  privilege  granted  in  the  fifth  restrictive  rule 
of  the  Discipline,  that  at  their  request  they  be  tried  before 
the  society  of  which  they  are  members;  and  that  they  pro- 
test against  being  tried  before  a  committee  contrary  to  their 
wishes  or  consent.  This,  however,  was  disregarded  by  the 
court.  The  accused  brethren  withdrew  from  the  house, 
and  the  trial  proceeded.  A  verdict  of  condemnation  was 
promptly  rendered.    They  were  expelled. 

The  trustees  of  the  church  now  had  anxious  consulta- 
tions as  to  what  course  to  pursue.  The  best  legal  counsel 
of  the  city  assured  them  that,  as  the  church  is  incorporated, 
and  a  majority  of  its  members  condemn  the  proceedings  of 
Mr.  Wright,  that  they  could  legally  dismiss  him  from  the 
scation,  or  compel  him  to  grant  the  lay  members  a  hearing 
before  the  church,  or  by  writ  of  mandamus  commit  him  to 
prison.    But  they  deprecated  a  resort  to  civil  law. 

On  the  evening  of  the  ensuing  day  (16th)  the  Union 
Society  met,  in  solemn  deliberation,  and  with  them  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  The  judgment  of  the  Board  was  list- 
ened for  with  almost  breathless  attention.  It  was  given  in 
about  these  words:  "That  forasmuch  as  there  is  no  peace 


58 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


to  be  expected  in  the  church,  we  had  better  withdraw  and 
leave  our  brethren,  who  seem  to  have  determined  that  we 
shall  no  longer  enjoy  our  rights  and  privileges  therein." 
Several  members  of  the  Board  spoke  to  the  same  effect, 
remarking  that  though  we  might  successfully  claim  our  just 
rights  before  civil  tribunals,  against  the  illegal  and  arbitrary 
proceedings  with  which  we  are  visited,  yet,  for  us  to  retire, 
suffering  the  loss  of  all,  would  probably  be  most  in  accord- 
ance with  the  meekness  and  long-suffering  of  Jesus.  It  was- 
therefore  determined  that  on  Monday,  August  18th,  the 
Reformers  and  their  friends  should  meet  at  2  o'clock  p.  M.r 
for  the  purpose  of  formally  withdrawing  from  the  church. 

The  story  is  soon  told  of  the  origin  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  in  Cincinnati.  Not  only  the  wives  and 
daughters,  but  the  brethren  of  those  expelled  friends,  to 
the  number  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty,  on  the  day 
designated,  at  once  seceded,  and  formed  an  organization 
with  their  excluded  brethren.  Some  of  the  last  mentioned 
being  class-leaders,  their  classes  continued  to  meet  at  their 
accustomed  places,  as  though  naught  had  happened,  for 
they  were  not  separated,  save  in  a  few  instances,  from  indi- 
vidual choice.  The  church  property  was  left  behind,  and 
the  new  society  proceeded  at  once  to  raise  funds  to  buy 
and  build. 

This  was  a  gloomy  hour,  but  one  of  earnest  trust  in  God. 
Many  had  gone  back,  upon  reaching  the  crisis — could  not 
endure  the  shock  of  separation  from  the  church  of  their 
early  choice,  or  could  not  feel  reconciled  to  participate  in 
the  heavy  expenses  of  building  up  a  new  organization,  as 
we  had  no  church  property  to  commence  with. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  at  the  sitting  of  the  Quarterly 
Conference,  the  trial  of  the  four  local  preachers  was  com- 
menced. *  By  this  time  this  body  was  pretty  well  expurgated 
of  the  reform  element.  The  case  of  William  Young  was 
first  taken  up.    The  accused  set  out  to  show  and  to  prove 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


59 


the  incompetency  of  the  committee  by  whom  he  had  been 
suspended,  and  was  about  to  bring  testimony.  This  was 
objected  to.  Brother  Young  appealed  to  the  chair,  the 
presiding  elder,  Greenbury  R.  Jones,  who  assented  to  the 
justice  of  his  claim.  An  appeal  was  taken  from  the  decis- 
ion of  the  chair,  and  the  conference  refused  to  hear  the 
testimony.  The  prosecuting  committee  then  proceeded 
with  their  evidence,  reading  detached  portions  of  the 
Mutual  Rights.  Afterward,  Brother  Young  made  a  short 
defense,  though  he  knew  full  well  before  that  body  it  would 
be  unavailing.  A  short  note  from  trie  presiding  elder  after- 
wards announced  the  decision  of  the  committee,  finding 
him  guilty  of  the  charge,  but  once  more  proposing  that 
upon  his  withdrawing  from  the  Union  Society  and  giving 
up  the  Mutual  Rights,  he  should  retain  his  standing.  This 
proffer  was  declined.  Brother  Young  appealed  to  the  An- 
nual Conference  from  a  decision  which  he  deemed  unjust. 

On  the  nth  the  cases  of  brothers  Haughton  and  Dor- 
man  were  tried.  They  each  made  a  short  defense,  though 
fully  aware  it  would  be  of  no  avail.  Mr.  Haughton  in 
course  of  his  remarks  said,  "That  although  Reformers  had 
been  accused  of  speaking  hard  things  against  the  itinerant 
ministry,  he  would  prove  that  much  harder  things  had  been 
said  by  the  advocates  of  the  existing  economy."  Of  this 
he  was  prepared  at  once  to  give  evidence,  if  the  conference 
would  permit.  But  this  was  denied.  A  certain  presiding 
elder,  not  very  far  from  the  place  where  they  were  then  as- 
sembled, had  declared  that  "  It  would  be  better  one-half 
the  church  be  cut  off,  than  that  the  Reformers  should  have 
their  claims." 

In  the  Quarterly  Conference  there  was  one  faithful  voice 
raised  in  defense  of  the  accused  local  preachers,  that  of  the 
since  sainted  Truman  Bishop.  But  he  stood  well-nigh 
alone.  The  accused  were  of  course  found  guilty,  and  from 
the  decision  they  appealed  to  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference. 


€0 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


William  Young  attended  the  ensuing  session  of  said 
Conference  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  September,  1828,  and 
presented  the  appeal  in  behalf  of  himself  and  two  other 
brethren,  against  the  act  of  expulsion  by  the  Quarterly 
Conference.  He  was  given  a  patient  hearing.  Some  dis- 
position was  shown  to  save  him  and  his  brethren.  But  the 
conditions  required  were  too  degrading  to  be  for  a  moment  - 
entertained.  Of  course  the  action  of  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference was  confirmed.  Brother  Young  was,  however, 
informed  that  the  conference  did  not  believe  he  had  done 
any  thing  that  would  disqualify  him  from  being  an  accept- 
able member  or  minister  in  any  other  denomination  of 
Christians,  and  that  this  was  their  own  opinion  of  his 
character.  But  owing  to  his  views  and  his  course  on  the 
subject  of  church  government,  he  could  not  be  considered 
an  acceptable  member  with  them. 

The  injustice  of  one  feature  of  the  mode  of  trials  and 
appeals  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  is  set  forth  in 
the  following  statement : 

"During  the  session  of  an  Annual  Conference  at  Madison, 
Indiana,  in  October,  1828,  only  a  few  weeks  after  the  expulsons  at 
Cincinnati,  Bishop  Roberts  being  in  the  chair,  one  of  the  members 
■wished  the  bishop  to  settle  the  question  whether  the  persons  who 
composed  the  Quarterly  Conference,  after  having  set  on  the  trial 
below  could  sit  as  jurors  in. the  Quarterly  Conference.  The  bishop 
replied:  'If  the  same  persons  were  to  try  the  case  again,  what 
would  be  the  advantage  of  an  appeal  ?'  The  member  then  observed 
that  the  Discipline  was  in  favor  of  it.  The  bishop  said:  'The  Dis- 
cipline gives  them  a  seat  in  the  conference;  and  though  it  does  not  ' 
say  they  should  not  act,  yet  delicacy  and  a  sense  of  propriety  would 
dictate  that  they  should  not  act  in  such  case.'  This  statement  was 
given  by  a  well-known  citizen,  and  at  the  time  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  present  and  heard  the  decis- 
ion given,  and  was  careful  to  give  the  bishop's  own  words  as  he 
spoke  them.* 

*See  "  Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer,"  November  20,  1828. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


PERSECUTION  OF  REFORMERS  CONTINUED — LYNCHBURG,  GEORGE- 
TOWN, NORTH  CAROLINA — A  VETERAN  CUT  OFF — TENNESSEE 
— "SCRATCH  LAW" — STARLING  TURNER. 

AT  Lynchburg,  Va.,  about  October,  1828,  two  local 
preachers  and  nine  laymen,  stewards,  leaders  and 
exhorters  were  cut  off  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
for  no  other  offense  than  their  connection  with  the  Reform 
movement.    This  was  followed  by  a  secession. 

Shortly  after,  proceedings  against  Reformers  were  had 
at  Georgetown,  D.  C.  Three  or  four  leaders  and  stewards 
were  removed  from  office,  whereupon  a  secession  of  about 
forty  persons  took  place. 

In  Roinoke  Circuit,  North  Carolina,  were  eleven  minis- 
ters and  preachers,  who  were  members  of  a  Union  Society. 
The  preacher  in  charge  was  an  impetuous  anti-Reformer. 
Soon  after  the  publication  of  the  resolutions  of  the  General 
Conference,  this  man  found  in  them  a  pretext  for  proceed- 
ing against  the  Reformers  belonging  to  his  circuit,  and  he 
began  with  the  preachers.  He  sent  notices  severally  to 
seven  of  these,  intimating  that  as  the  General  Conference 
had  confirmed  the  expulsions  at  Baltimore,  and  required 
conditions  of  the  expelled  for  their  restoration,  that  this 
implied  that  those  guilty  of  the  same  things  'must  either 
comply  with  the  same  conditions  or  share  the  same  fate. 
Hence  he  demanded  of  them  to  cease  patronizing  the 
Mutual  Rights  and  to  dissolve  their  Union  Society,  or 
otherwise  prepare  for  trial  before  a  committee.  Nowr 

61 


62 


A  CON'CISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


these  seven  had  been  faithful,  tried  servants  of  the  church. 
Five  of  them  had  served  in  the  itinerant  work.  One  had 
filled  the  office  of  presiding  elder.  One  of  them  had  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  army  under  Washington.  Most  of 
them  were  seniors  of  the  official  who  was  bent  on  having 
them  cut  off.  Not  one  word  of  conciliation  was  expressed. 
The  notice  sent  was  a  simple  menace.  Shortly  after,  Au- 
gust 30,  1828,  a  citation  was  furnished  to  each,  in  the  fol- 
lowing brief  words:  "You  are  hereby  notified  that  the 
committee  on  your  case  will  meet  at  Shady  Grove  meeting- 
house, on  Saturday,  October  4th,  before  whom  you  are 
requested  to  appear  for  trial,  if  you  think  proper."  Now, 
these  seven  local  preachers  were  summoned  to  trial  at  an 
extreme  point  of  the  circuit,  thirty  or  forty  miles  distant  for 
most  of  them,  without  being  furnished  with  any  charges  or 
specifications  against  them.  Moreover,  they  were  too  well 
aware  of  the  arbitrary  spirit  and  measures  of  the  prosecu- 
ting officer,  who  was  to  act  in  the  varied  capacity  of  ac- 
cuser, prosecutor  and  judge,  and  who  had  prepared  a  com- 
mittee precisely  adapted  to  his  ends.  Under  the  circum- 
stances, not  one  of  them  attended  trial.  They  were,  of 
course,  suspended. 

In  the  ensuing  Quarterly  Conference  the  same  persons 
who  had  set  on  the  trial,  and  condemned  the  accused,  were 
accorded  seats  by  the  presiding  elder.  The  usual  charges 
of  inveighing  against  the  discipline,  etc.,  were  brought  up, 
but  it  was  admitted  that  no  charge  of  immorality  lay  against 
them.  Whatever  defense  was  made,  of  course  went  for 
naught.  They  could  not  yield  their  sacred  rights.  Those 
seven  preachers  were  severally  called  up,  charged,  found 
guilty,  excluded  from  the  ministry  and  church.  The  one 
whose  case  was  last  tried  was  that  of  William  Price,  vener- 
able for  his  age  and  dignified  demeanor.  Wrhen  sentence 
of  excommunication  was  about  to  be  pronounced  upon 
him,  he  thus  addressed  the  president  and  conference:  "I 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


63 


am  seventy-four  years  old ,  have  been  a  Methodist  about 
fifty  years.  I  was  three  years  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war ;  and,  while  a  prisoner,  a  British  officer  offered  me 
a  great  bribe  to  join  trie  British,  and  fight  against  my  coun- 
try; but  I  told  him  if  I  had  one  hundred  lives,  I  would 
lose  them  all  in  fighting  for  my  liberty  and  my  country.  I 
have  considered  well  my  situation,  and  am  firm  in  my  pur- 
pose.   I  shall  not  forsake  the  Union  Society."* 

But  the  work  did  not  stop  here.  A  few  days  after  the 
bove  stated  trials,  the  same  preacher  in  charge  came  to  the 
town  where  resided  two  more  of  the  local  preachers,  one 
of  whom  was  class-leader.  Upon  him  he  called,  and  de- 
manded the  class  paper.  Receiving  this,  he  carried  it 
away,  appointed  a  new  leader,  and  made  out  a  new  paper 
or  list,  omitting  the  names  of  the  two  preachers.  He  also 
left  word  with  the  trustees  not  to  have  either  of  the  two 
brethren  officiate  in  any  of  their  pulpits,  as  they  were  no 
longer  in  the  pale  of  the  church.  This  summary  process, 
not  unknown  in  various  administrations  of  preachers,  re- 
ceived the  appellation  "Scratch  Law."  No  charges — no 
citations — no  trial  had.f 

Another  instance  had  previously  occurred  in  Bedford 
county,  Tenn.  (1825.)  Friends  of  reform  had  proposed 
forming  a  Union  Society.  But  so  eager  were  the  itiner- 
ants to  forestall  the  movement,  that  they  could  not  wait  for 
the  overt  act.  The  presiding  elder,  at  a  Quarterly  Meeting, 
at  the  close  of  his  sermon,  publicly  read  out  the  names  of 
fourteen  official  members,  some  of  them  preachers,  declar- 
ing that  these  brethren  were  no  longer  to  be  considered 
Methodists.  Subsequently  the  Union  Society  was  organ- 
ized, after  which  the  several  local  preachers  concerned  were 
cited  to  trial  and  suspended.    The  ensuing  Quarterly  Con- 

*"Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer,"  page  28. 
fParis's  History  of  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  page  220. 


64 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ferences  expelled  them,  f  But  to  the  honor  of  the  Ten- 
nessee Conference  be  it  stated,  that  when  these  cases  came 
before  that  body,  the  acts  of  the  Quarterly  Conference  and 
of  the  presiding  elder  were  disapproved  and  reversed. 
Not  so  with  the  Ohio,  Baltimore  or  Virginia  Conference,  in 
which  the  acts  of  expulsion  were  confirmed. 

On  Albemarle  Circuit,  North  Carolina,  several  persons, 
understood  to  be  favorable  to  reform,  were  ejected  from 
the  church,  without  the  semblance  of  a  trial.  Three  local 
ministers  in  the  circuit,  who  had  acknowledged  themselves 
favorable  to  reform,  were  by  the  preacher  in  charge  pub- 
licly declared  no  longer  ministers  or  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  Yet  nothing  was  alleged  against 
their  moral  or  official  character.  This  again  was  "Scratch 
Law." 

The  late  George  Brown,  in  his  Autobiography,  relates 
several  instances  which  occurred  within  his  knowledge, 
while  a  regular  itinerant  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
in  which  the  above  practice  took  place.  At  Steubenville, 
Ohio,  in  1821,  C.  G  was  charged  at  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence with  maladministration.  He  had  undertaken  to  abol- 
ish and  expel  an  entire  class  of  about  fifty  members  because 
they  did  something  which  displeased  him.  He  burned  the 
class  paper,  and  publicly  declared  the  persons  no  more 
members  of  the  church.    But  the  presiding  elder,  W. 

S  ,  disapproved  the  action  of  G  ,  and  ordered  the 

expelled  to  be  restored.  This  was,  however,  before  the 
era  of  the  Mutual  Rights  and  Union  Society.  In  the  afore- 
mentioned Autobiography,  Dr.  Brown  adds: 

"I  reported  the  above  cases  to  Daniel  Hitt.  lie  laughed 
heartily,  and  said  such  cases  were  quite  common  among  Methodist 
preachers  ;  said  he  had  once  dismembered  a  large  class  by  burning 
the  class  paper  and  pronouncing  all  the  members  out  of  the  church. 
He  took  this  method  to  settle  a  difficulty.    He  made  a  new  class 

fWilliams'  History,  page  130. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


65 


paper,  anil  proposed  to  take  in  all  again  whu  would  agree  to  behave 
themselves.  But  I  think  he  said  but  few  came.  The  rest  were  all 
affronted,  and  well  they  might  be."* 

Cornelius  Springer,  in  an  article  in  the  Wesleyan  Reposi- 
tory for  April,  1824,  said: 

"In  the  administration  of  discipline  over  the  lay  members,  high- 
handed measures  have  frequently  been  pursued,  such  as  tearing  up 
class  papers,  and  by  this  one  sweeping  act  turning  out  of  the 
church  the  whole  class  at  once;  scratching  off  the  names  of  re- 
spectable members  from  the  class  roll,  and  thereby  expelling  them 
without  the  formalities  of  a  trial.  I  have  known  instances  of  a 
traveling  preacher  preferring  charges  against  members  for  censuring 
his  administration  ;  and  after  picking  his  own  jury,  and  becoming 
his  own  judge,  to  exercise  the  church  censure  against  those  who 
dared  find  fault  with  his  doings." 

The  following  incident  occurred  in  Western  Ohio,  many- 
years  ago,  and  contributed  essentially  to  the  after  organiza- 
tion of  one  of  the  permanent  societies  of  the  Methodist 

Protestant  Church.    B.  W  ,  the  minister  appointed  to 

the  charge  of  a  large  circuit,  as  he  passed  around,  saw 
proper  to  make  changes  of  leaders,  without  consulting  the 
preferences  of  the  classes.  At  one  place,  not  a  hundred 
miles  from  Springfield,  after  speaking  to  the  class,  he  gave 

notice  that  hereafter  Brother  (naming  him)  would  be  their 

leader.  This  caused  general  surprise.  Presently,  a  long 
breath,  and  then  a  sort  of  suppressed  murmur  of  dissatis- 
faction was  felt  and  heard.  At  length,  one  brother  broke 
the  silence  by  taking  the  liberty  to  say  he  thought  that  the 
society  were  well  satisfied  with  their  present  leader,  and  he 
did  not  think  that  a  change  should  be  made.  The  clerical 
dignitary  at  once  seemed  roused  by  even  this  small  inter- 
ference with  his  administration,  and  emphatically  declared 
that  the  matter  was  fixed !  The  murmur  of  dissatisfaction 
now  increased,  and  it  became  very  apparent  that  the  new 

*See  "  Recollections  of  Itinerant  Life,"  page  101.  F 


66 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


arrangement,  thus  unadvisedly  precipitated  upon  them, 
would  not  suit.  The  preacher  became  highly  displeased, 
so  far  forgetting  himself  as  to  let  it  unmistakably  appear 
that  he  was  a  man  of  like  passions  with  others,  and  that  the 
possession  of  a  little  brief  authority  did  not  prove  him  a 
man  filled  with  the  grace  of  sanctification.    At  length  one 

brother  said  :  "If   is  to  be  our  leader,  you  may  take 

my  name  off  the  paper  !"  "Amen  !"  responed  the  preacher 
"And  mine,  too,"  said  a  second.  "Mine,  too,"  said  a  third, 
and  so  on.  The  preacher,  still  more  roused,  answered, 
after  each  name,  "Amen,"  as  he  struck  each  name  from 
the  list.  He  closed,  with  great  warmth,  "You  will  find 
that  the  Discipline  makes  it  my  duty,  as  preacher  in  charge, 
to  appoint  all  the  class-leaders,  and  change  them  as  I  see 

necessary.     And  if  I  should  appoint  —          (naming  a 

party,  nameless  here),  you  will  find  that  my  appointment 
is  not  to  be  interfered  with ;  it  shall  stand."  As  might 
naturally  have  been  expected,  the  arbitrary  course  of  that 
preacher  well-nigh  destroyed  the  society,  and  a  Methodist 
Protestant  organization  was  the  result. 

Now,  that  preacher  was  not  impeached  for  maladminis- 
tration. But  it  happened,  somewhat  curiously,  that,  within 
a  few  years  thereafter,  the  same  preacher  was  placed  on  a 
circuit  where  the  Methodist  Protestants  had  organizations, 
and  it  had  become  known  in  the  community  that  among 
that  people  the  classes  elect  their  own  leaders.  And  so, 
the  Episcopal  Methodist  brethren  thereabouts  demanded 
the  like  privilege.  Hereupon,  this  same  arbitrary  preacher 
was  necessitated  to  yield  to  the  popular  demand,  and  to 
suffer  his  people  to  elect,  thus  departing  from  his  favorite 
usage,  and  from  the  disciplinary  rule  in  such  qases  made  and 
provided! 

In  April,  1S30,  Starling  Turner,  of  Mercer  County, 
Kentucky,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  unimpeachable  standing   for  over 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHL'RCH. 


67 


thirty  years,  was  charged  before  the  authorities  of  said 
church  with  inveighing  against  the  Discipline.  His  offense 
was  that  lie  was  a  reader  of  the  Mutual  Rights.  It  was 
charged  also  that  he  had  corrupted  the  mind  of  another 
member,  in  making  him  a  Reformer.  But  that  person  tes- 
tified, in  writing,  that  this  was  not  true.  Yet  he  was  ex- 
pelled.* The  circumstances  were  published,  shortly  after, 
in  a  pamphlet.  This  Starling  Turner  afterwards  became  a 
veteran  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  North  Illi- 
nois, and  lived  an  honored  member  until  four  score  and  ten. 
Several  sen;  and  their  families  are  walking  in  his  steps,  one 
of  whom  is  an  itinerant  in  that  conference. 


•See  "Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer,"  page  1S3. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE  FATHERS — WHAT  SOME  OF  THEM  SAID  OF  IRRESPONSIBLE 
POWER — "SPEAKING  EVIL  OF  MINISTERS" — WHO  IS  TO  BE 
VINDICATED  ? 

AS  THE  charge  of  speaking  evil  of  ministers,  inveighing 
against  the  Discipline,  etc.,  was  attempted  to  be  sus- 
tained against  the  Reformers  by  alleged  inflammatory  pas- 
sages in  the  publication  called  the  Mutual  Rights,  it  should 
be  stated  that  the  writers  of  the  articles  most  strongly  ex- 
cepted to,  were  at  the  time  ministers  in  high  standing  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Yet  these  writers  went 
free  of  impeachment.  From  first  to  last  no  attempt  was 
made  to  arraign  them  for  a  violation  of  Discipline,  while 
others  were  dealt  with  and  even  expelled  for  reading,  ap 
proving  or  giving  currency  to  their  writings.  Instance  the 
case  of  Henry  B.  Bascom,  before  referred  to.  Here  we 
introduce  a  passage  quite  in  point,  from  an  article  of  his  in 
the  Mutual  Rights  of  January,  1827: 

"It  is  said  Reformers  'inveigh  against  the  Discipline  of  the 
church.'  This  charge  we  deny.  We  think  the  Discipline  of  the 
church  defective,  and  wish  it  improved  ;  but  where  is  the  Reformer 
w  ho  refuses  peaceably  to  submit  to  the  order  of  the  church  ?  While 
we  remain  in  the  church,  and  its  present  Discipline  is  retained,  it 
is  our  intention  to  submit  to  it.  May  not  a  man  find  fault  with  the 
government  under  which  he  lives,  without  treasonably  inveighing 
against  it?  But  if  the  Discipline  be  really,  as  we  conceive,  in  many 
respects,  inconsistent  with  the  Scriptures,  where  is  the  sin  of  op- 
posing it,  provided  it  be  clone  in  a  proper  manner?  We  beg  leave 
to  ask,  however,  whether  those  preachers  '  inveigh '  against  our 
68 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


69 


doctrines  who  do  not  believe  some  of  them,  and  publicly  preach 
and  openly  write  against  them?  That  the  doctrine  of  Christ's 
Eternal  Sonship  is  a  doctrine  of  Methodism,  the  merest  novice 
knows  full  well ;  and  yet  this  is  denied  and  denounced  by  scores  of 
our  preachers  every  Sabbath  !  If  this  is  not  inveighing  against  the 
doctrines  of  the  church,  surely  we  have  not  inveighed  against  its 
Discipline." 

As  the  accused  Reformers  were  charged  with  speaking 
evil  of  ministers,  because  of  terms  used  in  stricturing  the 
undue  assumptions  of  the  ministry,  in  ignoring  all  claims  of 
the  laity  to  any  participation  in  governmental  affairs,  or 
check  upon  the  powers  of  their  ecclesiastical  rulers,  we 
state,  as  before  intimated,  that  it  was  through  controversies 
among  the  itinerant  preachers,  and  pointed  if  not  harsh 
things  uttered  by  them  touching  the  assumptions  of  their 
episcopal  superiors,  in  the  earlier  years  of  Methodism,  that 
wakened  up  the  laity  and  the  local  ministers  to  a  sense  of 
the  fact  that  they  too  might  have  some  rights  other  than  to 
be  passive  subjects  of  the  ruling  itinerancy.  Mr.  Bascom, 
in  1827,  could  characterize  an  act  of  one  of  the  oldest  and 
largest  conferences  of  ministers  as  an  "overbearing  act  of 
abandoned  tyranny ! "  yet  he  escaped  the  charge  of  speak- 
ing evil  of  ministers,  and  lived  and  died  a  bishop.  Messrs, 
Emory  and  Waugh,  in  1825,  could,  in  a  printed  circular, 
addressed  directly  to  their  own  brethren,  call  attention  thus 
openly  to  the  "tenacious  grasp"  with  which  episcopal 
power  is  held,  as  exemplified  in  the  course  of  Bishops  Soule 
and  McKendree,  declaring  their  past,  present  and  eternal 
opposition  to  such  assumption  of  power.  Yet  Messrs. 
Emory  and  Waugh  were  never  impeached  for  speaking  evil 
of  ministers.  They  were  called  to  places  of  most  import- 
ant trust,  and  died  honored  occupants  of  the  episcopal 
chair,  while  other  men,  as  good  and  holy  as  they,  were 
prosecuted,  excommunicated,  and  stigmatized  for  life  as 
outcasts,  for  alleged  use  or  sanction  of  words  not  more 


TO 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


harsh  in  reference  to  the  ruling  ministry.  And  since  their 
death  the  stigma  is  not  removed. 

Let  us  recur  to  an  earlier  period.  Dr.  Coke,  in  1791, 
as  has  been  related,  openly  withstood  his  colleague,  Bishop 
Asbury,  regarding  his  conduct  in  the  arbitrary  exercise  of 
power.  Of  the  character  of  that  conduct  it  is  not  for  us 
here  to  decide.  We  have  but  to  show  that  the  accused  Re- 
formers, if  guilty  of  speaking  evil  of  ministers,  had  the 
example  here  of  those  whom  they  had  been  accustomed 
to  regard  their  "-godly  superiors." 

Once  more,  mention  has  been  made  of  the  earnest  op- 
position offered  by  William  McKendree,  at  the  conference 
of  1792,  against  the  arbitrary  stretch  of  power  by  Bishop 
Asbury.  "so  tyrannical  that  he  could  not  or  would  not  sub- 
mit to  it."  The  terms  used  by  Mr.  McKendree  were  indeed 
very  outspoken,  if  not  harsh ;  and  had  they  been  used  by  a 
Reformer  of  after  years,  would  have  been  characterized  as 
"speaking  evil  of  ministers"  or  of  dignities.  We  will  not 
attempt  to  account  for  the  fact  that  Mr.  McKendree,  having 
withdrawn  with  James  O'Kelley,  within  a  short  space  there- 
after, became  reconciled  to  return  to  the  church,  and  that 
some  years  thereafter  he  became  further  reconciled  to  take 
upon  himself  the  episcopal  functions  for  the  rest  of  his  life, 
and  to  exercise  the  very  same  powers  which,  in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Asbury,  he  had  denounced  as  an  insult  to  his  under- 
standing. But  the  most  painful  record  is  that  he  should 
live  to  see,  in  later  years,  while  senior  bishop,  some  scores 
of  church  members  and  local  preachers,  of  unblemished 
life  and  standing,  brought  to  trial,  and  excluded,  upon 
charges  of  speaking  evil  of  ministers  and  inveighing  against 
the  Discipline,  and  condemned  not  the  unrighteous  act! 
God  forbid  that  we  should  sit  in  judgment  upon  him  or  his 
fellows.  We  do  but  as  in  duty  bound,  stand  up  for  the 
character  and  the  precious  memory  of  the  excluded  breth- 
ren, nearly  all  of  whom  have  gone  to  their  God,  and  of 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


71 


whom  we  believe,  though  disowned  and  condemned  by 
church  authorities,  "the  world  was  not  worthy." 

As  an  illustration  of  the  fairness  of  the  above  stated 
proceedings  at  Cincinnati  (1828)  and  the  qualifications  of 
the  parties  called  to  act  officially  in  the  case,  we  give  the 
following  incident:  The  chairman  of  the  prosecuting  com- 
mittee, in  the  church  trials  alluded  to,  was  an  aged  local 
preacher,  who  was  in  the  habit  of  preaching  at  the  village 
of  Columbia,  a  few  miles  above  Cincinnati.  It  wcu'd  seem 
that  his  geographical  knowledge  took  in  no  other  Columbia 
but  this  unnoted  point.  During  the  same  year  in  which 
occurred  those  ecclesiastical  proceedings,  it  was  announced 
that  the  President,  John  Quincy  Adams,  had  appointed 
Gen.  William  Henry  Harrison,  of  the  same  county,  Minis- 
ter to  Columbia,  i.  e.,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  the  South 
American  Republic  of  Columbia.  When  this  reached  the 
ear  of  the  old  brother,  he  evidenced  great  surprise,  and 
expressed  himself  to  this  effect:  "What  does  the  President 
mean  in  appointing  a  minister  to  Columbia?  I'm  minister 
to  Columbia!  I  preach  there  once  in  two  weeks.  Why 
interfere  with  my  arrangements  ?  Then,  what  means  it  that 
the  President  has  appointed  Harrison,  a  wicked  old  dog,  to 
be  minister  to  Columbia?"  And  the  brother  was  so  roused 
and  excited  to  learn  the  strange  announcement,  that  he 
could  hardly  be  restrained  from  speaking  evil,  not  only  of 
the  foreign  minister,  but  of  the  President!  Yet  of  such 
material,  in  part  at  least,  was  the  committee  composed  to 
prosecute  to  expulsion  brethren  otherwise  in  good  standing, 
for  speaking  evil  of  ministers.  Of  another  member  of  the 
same  prosecuting  committee  it  was  said  he  knew  not  the 
name  of  the  church  to  which  he  belonged.  He  was  accus- 
tomed to  call  it  the  Methodist  Epistical  Church! 

Are  we  told,  Let  the  dead  rest!  Let  by-gones  be  by- 
gones !  Is  it  thought  that  we  should  not  recite  the  tyrannical 
acts  of  officials  in  the  past,  who  are  now  nearly  all  num- 


72 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


bered  with  the  departed?  Answer:  We  have  a  duty  to 
discharge  in  the  case  of  other  departed  ones,  good,  and  true, 
and  pure  men.  We  have,  by  a  necessary  presentation  of 
facts,  to  vindicate  the  character  of  men  who,  without  just 
cause,  were  rudely  cast  out  of  the  church,  and  who  are  still 
occasionally  stigmatized  for  their  firm  adherence  to  princi- 
ples, then  discarded,  but  which  have  since  come  to  be  rec- 
ognized as  all  right.  Those  tyrannical  acts  in  their  expul- 
sion were  confirmed,  not  only  by  the  annual  conferences 
but  by  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  to  which  some  of  the  cases  were  appealed.  That 
body  stands  responsible  to-day  for  these  cruel  transactions. 
The  action  of  1S28  has  never  been  reconsidered. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


THE  PERSECUTION  OF  REFORMERS  CONSIDERED — ITS  INJUSTICE — 
THE  RESULTS  —  INFLUENCE  OF  THE  DISCUSSION  —  A  GREAT 
CHANGE — THE  LEAVEN  THAT  I.EAVENETH. 


IRST.    The  judicial  proceedings  against  Reformers 


were  distinguished  for  extreme  unfairness.  We  believe 
that,  in  every  instance,  an  arbitrary  and  relentless  spirit  was 
manifested  on  the  part  of  the  prosecution. 

2.  Those  abuses  of  power  by  the  authorities  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  were  but  illustrations  and 
demonstrations  of  the  necessity  of  reform.  Does  the 
•church  suffer  ?  She  is  powerless — has  no  redress — no  check 
upon  irresponsible  power.  Said  William  S.  Stockton,  a 
noble  layman,  who  edited  the  Wcsleyan  Repository:  "If  all 
the  male  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
though  American  citizens,  were  to  meet  in  one  place,  they 
■could  not  take  one  letter  out  of  the  preachers'  book  of 
laws,  nor  put  one  in,  nor  turn  one  upside  down." 

3.  Inimical  as  the  Mutual  Rights  publication  was  con- 
sidered by  its  opposers,  it  did  a  much  needed  and  useful 
service  in  exposing  those  abuses  of  power,  and  showing  to 
the  Methodist  community  that  a  remedy  for  those  abuses 
•ought  to  be  applied. 

4.  The  character  and  influence  of  the  Mutual  Rights 
in  this  regard,  being  understood  and  known,  it  was  far 
from  creditable  to  the  men  in  power  that  they  so  eagerly 
.and  so  unfairly  sought  its  destruction.    If  faults  are  alleged, 


73 


74 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


and  the  investigation  thereof  is  shunnec5,  this  is  presump- 
tive evidence  that  the  faults  exist. 

5.  As  the  Reformers  were  charged  with  evil-speaking, 
said  to  be  contained  in  utterances  found  in  the  Mutual 
RigJits,  justice  requires  we  should  state  that  anything  of 
this  character,  on  their  part,  was  equalled,  if  not  outdone, 
by  epithets  inflicted  upon  them  by  their  opponents.  Yet 
these  persons  were  not  arraigned  for  evil  speaking.  James 
R.  Williams,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Editorial  Commit- 
tee of  the  Mutual  Rights,  says  that,  during  the  issuing  of 
that  work,  several  anti-Reformers  availed  themselves  of  the 
freedom  of  its  columns  ;  and  in  defending  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  government,  they  represented  the  Reformers  as 
"backsliders,"  "enemies  of  Methodism,"  "under  the  in- 
fluence of  base  motives,"  "instigated  by  the  devil."  "This 
kind  of  abusive  matter,"  he  adds,  "from  anti-Reformers, 
accumulated  to  such  a  degree  that  the  committee  were 
under  the  necessity  of  restricting  these  writers  to  argument 
alone."* 

6.  The  publications  of  the  Reformers,  from  the  days  of 
the  Wesleyan  Repository  to  the  present  time,  for  full  fifty 
years  continuously  supporting  the  same  principles  of  mutual 
rights  and  lay  representation,  have  served  as  leaven,  which, 
unconsciously  at  first,  but  evidently  at  last,  has  leavened 
the  whole  lump. 

7.  The  principles  advocated  by  the  Reformers  have 
won  their  way,  in  despite  of  opposition,  till  they  have  re- 
ceived general  assent,  even  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Preachers,  editors,  bishops,  conferences,  have 
consented  to  the  lay  delegation  principle ;  and  it  has  within 
a  few  years  been  adopted  in  practice  in  annual  and  gen- 
eral conferences  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  and  to  a  partial  extent  in  the  General  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.    Thus  is  fulfilled  the  pre- 

*Seo  Williams's  History  of  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  page  129. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


75 


diction  of  the  sagacious  Snethen,  who  relied  upon  the  on- 
ward march  of  principle,  that  "opposition  to  lay  delega- 
tion will  melt  away  in  the  General  Conference  itself." 

8.  The  discussion  of  reform  principles,  with  its  show- 
ing of  the  defects  of  the  established  system  and  faults  of 
its  administration,  has  gradually  wrought  a  reform  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  administration.  It  is  notorious  that 
in  former  times  the  episcopacy  was  intolerant  in  its  bearing 
towards  the  preachers.  But  this  evil  has  been  remedied. 
The  more  recent  Boards  of  Bishops  have  shown  themselves 
Christian  gentlemen.  An  instance  of  an  oppressive  act  on 
their  part,  we  presume,  would  now  be  considered  a  rare 
thing.  And  it  would  probably  be  exposed.  Instances  of 
arbitrary  acts  in  the  administration  of  preachers,  which 
formerly  were  not  uncommon,  have  become  comparatively 
rare.  Formerly,  these  officials  could  do  things  unseemly 
and  injurious,  according  to  their  whim,  with  impunity. 
Charges  of  maladministration  once  could  hardly  have  been 
entertained,  if  the  good  will  of  a  presiding  elder  could  but 
be  secured.  The  arbitrary  deportment  of  preachers  in 
earlier  times  induced  the  formation  of  Union  Societies. 
But  after  the  hue  and  cry  arose  against  the  Reformers,  for 
"speaking  evil  of  ministers,"  the  ministers  began  to  be  more 
circumspect  (as  in  the  instance  mentioned  in  Western 
Ohio),  as  though  to  make  appear  that  no  cause  of  com- 
plaint existed.  As  we  said  of  the  present  Board  of  Bish- 
ops, the  present  generation  of  Methodist  itinerant  preachers, 
in  the  main,  are  Christian  gentlemen  in  their  bearing  and 
administration.  And  they  would  to-day  hardly  think  it 
creditable  that  their  predecessors,  half  a  century  ago,  when 
they  happened  to  be  lacking  either  of  divine  grace  or  good 
sense,  used  to  be,  in  many  instances,  imperious  and  over- 
bearing, when  they  had  the  impulse,  seeing  that  the  Disci- 
pline gave  them  the  power,  and  gave  their  people  no  effec- 
tive redress.    Who  of  them  now  would  dare  use  the  '  'Scratch 


76 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Law,"  or  burn  a  class  paper,  or  do  other  arbitrary  acts  to 
get  rid  of  an  offensive  member,  without  at  least  a  sem- 
blance of  common  justice.  We  rejoice  to  believe  that  both 
bishops  and  their  subordinate  officials  of  to-day,  in  the 
main,  are  men  of  too  much  purity  of  heart  and  purpose  to 
"lord  it  over  God's  heritage." 

9.  The  great  change  which  has  taken  place  in  Metho-  - 
dist  public  sentiment,  regarding  lay  representation,  and  the 
marked  improvement  in  the  administration  of  the  govern- 
ment, has  by  some  candid  minds  on  the  other  side  been 
admitted  to  be  due,  in  great  measure  at  least,  to  the 
influence  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  In  the  last 
General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  held  at  Louisville,  in  May,  1874,  Bishop  McTyeire 
said,  in  response  to  our  messenger,  Brother  Clark : 

"Christians  may  not  be  proud.  But  to  you  and  your  people  a 
large  degree  of  self-complacency  is  allowable.  You  were  before  us 
in  lay  delegation.  You  set  us  the  example  in  American  Methodism. 
We  like  it  well.    The  experiment  has  been  entirely  satisfactory. 

"In  adopting  lay  representation,  we  took  no  half-way  measure; 
rather  it  was  a  half-and-half  measure.  For  this,  the  only  law-making 
body  of  our  church  is  made  up  of  an  equal  number  of  ministers  and 
laymen." 

10.  But  we  consider  it  unreasonable  and  unjust  that,  in 
the  present  discussions  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
contemptuous  references  should  be  made  to  the  Radical  Con- 
troversy of  1828,  as  is  sometimes  done,  by  some  who  know 
little  or  nothing  of  the  merits  of  the  case,  or  have  been 
misled,  as  though  the  men  of  that  "controversy"  were  mis- 
chief makers  and  enemies  of  the  church.  Individuals  of 
that  day  may  have  been  sometimes  harsh,  or  indiscreet  in 
their  utterances.  If  so,  we  justify  them  in  no  uncharitable 
words.  But  they  considered  usually  that  they  had  provo- 
cation. Yet  we  claim  that  the  main  writers  and  actors  in 
the   "controversy"   were  blameless  men — men  who  had 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


truth  and  right  on  their  side.  And  that  they  had  the  best 
of  the  argument,  was  duly  evidenced  by  the  unwillingness 
of  the  opposition  to  give  them  a  hearing,  and  their  intoler- 
ant endeavors  to  suppress  and  silence  the  discussion.  We 
defend  the  fathers  in  this  case.  The  (so-called)  Radical 
Controversy  of  1828  was  a  necessity.  It  was  right.  Its 
writers,  though  impugned,  did  a  useful  service.  And  now, 
that  nearly  all  of  them  have  passed  over  to  their  reward, 
the  Methodist  people  of  to-day,  even  by  the  million,  are 
enjoying  the  benefits  of  their  labors. 

11.  The  victims  of  those  unreasonable  and  cruel  pro- 
ceedings, having  been  cast  out  of  the  church,  their  friends, 
and  those  of  kindred  views,  were  in  honor  bound  to 
secede,  and  associate  themselves  with  the  expelled.  If  my 
friend,  in  whom  I  confide  as  a  good  man,  is  rudely  ejected 
from  a  house,  can  I  honorably  remain  and  enjoy  its  hospi- 
talities? Not  for  a  day.  These  excluded  and  seceded 
friends  were  no  other  than  Methodist  Christians.  They 
were  bound  to  serve  God  and  sustain  the  m>ans  of  grace. 
And  now,  that  they  are  houseless  outcasts,  they  must,  in- 
voking the  blessing  of  God,  erect  for  themselves  an  eccle- 
siastical habitation.  Hence  the  organization  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church  was  a  religious  necessity — a  duty. 
Such  is  our  plea  for  our  existence  as  a  distinct  denomina- 
tion. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


■GENERAL  CONVENTION  OK  1828  —  ARTICLES  OF  ASSOCIATION  — 
"MUTUAL  RIGHTS  AND  CHRISTIAN  INTELLIGENCER" — ORGANI- 
ZATION OF  ANNUAL  CONFERENCES  UNDER  THE  CONVENTIONAL 
ARTICLES. 

V GENERAL  Convention  of  Methodist  Reformers  as- 
sembled at  Baltimore,  November,  12th,  1828.  More 
than  one  hundred  delegates  were  present.  The  list  em- 
braces representation  from  Vermont,  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Delaware,  Virginia,  Ohio,  North 
Carolina,  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  District  of  Columbia. 
Nicholas  Snethen  was  elected  President,  and  William  S. 
Stockton  Secretary. 

An  elaborate  and  able  report,  prepared  by  a  committee, 
on  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  ^'as  adopted.  Mr. 
Snethen,  who  had  been  bearer  of  the  Reformers'  Memorial 
to  the  General  Conference,  also  made  report  of  his  mission. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  system  of  gov- 
ernment for  the  organization  of  Reformers  disposed  to  unite 
under  its  provisions.  As  result  of  the  labors  of  the  com- 
mittee, a  preamble  and  seventeen  Articles  of  Association 
-were  adopted,  for  the  government  of  the  Associated  Meth- 
odist Churches : 

Article  I.  Adopts  the  Articles  of  Religion,  General  Rules, 
Means  of  Grace,  Moral  Discipline,  and  Rites  and  Ceremonies  in 
the  main  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Article  1J.    Provides  that  each  church  shall  have  sole  power  to 
•admit  serious  persons  into  full  membership,  and  regulate  its  tem- 
poral concerns. 
78 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


79 


Article  III.  Declares  the  right  of  property  as  vested  in  the 
respective  societies  who  are  to  elect  trustee-.. 

Article  IV.  Provides  for  the  fair  trial  of  accused  persons,  and 
the  right  of  appeal. 

Article  V.  Provides  for  constituting  a  Quarterly  Conference  in 
every  circuit  and  station,  and  defines  its  prerogatives  and  duties. 

Article  VI.  Provides  for  the  organization  of  one  or  more 
Annual  Conferences  in  each  State,  composed  of  an  equal  number  of 
ministers  and  lay  delegates. 

Article  VII.  Provides  that  each  Annual  Conference  elect  its 
President  and  Secretary. 

Article  VIII.  Provides  that  each  Annual  Conference  adopt  its 
own  mode  of  stationing  the  preachers. 

Article  IX.    Defines  the  duties  and  rights  of  the  President. 

Article  X.    Further  defines  the  powers  of  the  Annual  Conferenes. 

Article  XI.  Contains  regulations  for  the  itinerancy  and  its  ordi- 
nations. 

Article  XII.  Annual  Conferences  to  fix  the  times  and  places  for 
their  sittings. 

Article  XIII.  Traveling  preachers  subject  to  the  appointments 
of  Conference,  and  entitled  to  same  allowance  as  provided  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Discipline. 

Article  XIV.    Defines  the  duties  of  preachers  in  charge. 

Article  XV.  Requires  that  "nothing  contained  in  these  Articles 
is  to  be  so  construed  as  to  interfere  with  the  right  of  property  be- 
longing to  any  member,  as  recognized  by  the  laws  of  the  State 
within  the  limits  of  which  the  member  may  reside." 

This  article  induced  serious  dissatisfaction  in  portions  of 
the  North,  where  anti-slavery  views  prevailed,  as  it  was 
understood  to  protect  the  system  of  slave-holding.  It  was 
observed  that  seven-tenths  of  the  committee  were  from 
slave-holding  States,  and  more  than  four-fifths  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Convention. 

Article  XVI.  Provides  for  holding  a  General  Convention,  in 
Baltimore,  in  November,  1830,  composed  of  ministers  and  lay  rep- 
resentatives. 

Article  XVII.  Accords  certain  rights  and  privileges  to  super- 
numery  and  superannuated  ministers. 


so 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  Convention  adopted  resolutions  appointing  agents 
to  travel  through  the  States,  and  assist  in  carrying  into  effect 
the  Articles.  Also  appointing  a  committee  of  five  to  pre- 
pare a  Constitution,  Discipline  and  hymn-book,  to  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  Convention  of  1830.  The  members  of  this 
committee  were  all  selected  from  slave-holding  States.  On 
this  account  there  was  some  dissatisfaction  in  other  portions 
of  the  country. 

The  publication  of  the  Mutual  Rig/its,  as  a  monthly,  was 
discontinued  with  the  issue  of  the  July  number,  1828,  the 
ending  of  the  fourth  volume. 

On  September  5th,  same  year,  was  commenced  a  semi- 
monthly publication,  in  newspaper  form,  conducted  by  Den- 
nis B.  Dorsey,  at  Baltimore,  called  the  Mutual  Rights  and 
Christian  Intelligencer.  This  arrangement  continued  for  two 
years,  when  the  publication  was  handed  over  to  the  control 
of  the  Convention  of  1830. 

The  agents  appointed  by  the  General  Convention  pro- 
ceeded to  effect  organizations  under  the  Conventional 
Articles,  in  many  sections  of  the  country.  During  the 
ensuing  two  years,  twelve  annual  conferences  were  thus 
organized  in  the  order  designated  below. 

On  December  19th,  1828,  an  Annual  Conference  was 
organized  in  North  Carolina,  embracing,  at  first,  eight  min- 
isters, some  of  whom  had  been  expelled  from  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  without  any  charge  of  immorality  alleged 
against  them,  twelve  lay  delegates  and  five  licensed  preach- 
ers. At  that  time  but  three  circuits  were  formed.  W.  W. 
Hill  was  the  first  president.  The  work  rapidly  extended 
and  within  a  few  years  the  conference  became  a  large  body, 
embracing  a  membership  of  several  thousands. 

On  April  2d,  1829,  the  Maryland  Annual  Conference 
was  organized  in  Baltimore.  Twenty  ordained  ministers 
and  twenty-six  lay  delegates  were  present  at  the  first  session. 
Nicholas  Snethen  was  elected  President.    This  venerable 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


81 


man  bad  entered  the  itinerant  connection  at  so  early  a  day 
as  1794,  and  had  done  many  years  effective  service,  but  he 
had  now  been  for  some  years  located.  Yet  he  was  still  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  able  and  useful  ministers  of  the 
denomination.  Of  the  number  present,  also,  was  Jonathan 
Forrest,  another  ancient  man.  He  had  entered  the  travel- 
ing connection  in  1783  ;  had  been  a  Methodist  for  sixty 
years.  At  the  love-feast  held  during  the  session,  he  stated 
that  he  had  seen  the  commencement  of  the  first  Methodist 
Church,  and  that  God  had  now  permitted  him  to  live  to  see 
the  second  Methodist  Church  in  her  infancy;  and  that  he 
believed  God  would  bless  this  also  with  his  choicest  bless- 
ings. Three  stations  and  five  circuits  only  were  recognized 
at  this  first  Conference,  with  thirteen  regular  itinerants.  But 
the  work  rapidly  spread  abroad,  and  this  Conference  has 
ever  been  prosperous. 

In  the  original  making  up  of  the  Conference,  all  ordained 
ministers  were  enrolled,  whether  itinerant  or  local.  This 
was  the  case  also  in  the  organization  of  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, and  perhaps  of  others.  Upon  the  adoption  of  the 
constitution,  in  November,  1830,  a  different  composition  of 
the  conferences  was  required. 

On  May  1st,  1829,  the  Virginia  Annual  Conference  was 
organized  at  Lynchburg,  Virginia.  Alexander  McCaine 
was  elected  President.  Nicholas  Snethen  was  also  in  at- 
tendance. Eleven  traveling  ministers  received  appointments 
at  this  first  session.    Eight  circuits  only  were  recognized. 

The  Alabama  Conference  also  held  its  first  session,  com- 
mencing May  1st,  1829.  Sixteen  itinerant  preachers  were 
enrolled  for  service  at  this  session.  Britton  Capel  was 
chosen  President. 

On  October  8th,  1829,  an  Annual  Conference  was  organ- 
ized at  Philadelphia,  comprising  ministers  and  churches  in 
the  surrounding  parts,  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania.  Eighteen  ordained  ministers  and  fifteen  licentiates 


82 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


and  laymen  were  in  attendance.  John  Smith  was  elected 
President.  Nicholas  Snethen  was  also  present  during  the 
session,  and,  by  request,  presided. 

Same  date,  October,  8th,  1829,  the  Tennessee  Annual 
Conference  was  organized  at  Union  Camp-Ground,  Bedford 
County,  Tennessee.  Eight  ministers  and  eleven  lay  dele- 
gates were  present.  Thomas  L.  Potts  was  chosen  President, 
and  Dr.  James  L.  Armstrong  Secretary. 

On  October  15th,  1829,  was  organized  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Asa  Shinn,  President; 
John  Haughton,  Secretary.  As  this  organization  comprised 
in  its  territory  the  entire  West,  and  was  the  nucleus  of  many 
conferences  springing  from  this  original  stock,  we  shall 
devote  a  subsequent  chapter  to  some  details  of  its  origin 
and  progress. 

In  Northern  New  York  a  conference  had  for  several 
years  existed,  called  the  Rochester  Conference  of  the  seced- 
ent  branch  called  the  Methodist  Society.  At  its  session, 
February  13th,  1830,  this  Conference  decided  to  adopt  the 
Conventional  Articles,  and  assume  the  name  of  the  Genesee 
Annual  Conference  of  the  Associate  Methodist  Churches. 
James  Covel  was  elected  President  and  Orren  Miller  Secre- 
tary. Members  reported,  442.  This  Con/erence  has  never 
been  strong  in  point  of  numbers,  but  its  ranks  have  ever 
contained  a  succession  of  noble,  gifted,  sacrificing  men. 
And  thus  it  is  at  this  day. 

February  19th,  1830,  at  Shelburne,  Vermont,  a  small 
conference  was  orgenized  for  the  State  of  Vermont.  Pres- 
ent were  five  ministers  and  five  lay  delegates.  L.  Chamber- 
lain was  chosen  President,  and  Chandler  Walker  Secretary. 

On  April  21st,  1830,  the  New  York  Annual  Conference 
was  organized,  at  Sullivan  Street  Church,  New  York  City. 
George  Thomas  was  chosen  President  and  George  Smith 
Secretary.  About  ten  ministers  and  preachers  were  pres- 
ent, and  eight  lay  delegates,  at  the  first  session.    Of  those 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


83 


receiving  appointments  at  this  session  were  Thomas  K. 
Witsil  and  Albert  I.  Piercy,  both  of  whom  survive,  having 
reached  an  honored  and  good  old  age. 

The  Georgia  Annual  Conference  was  oiganized  July 
22d,  1830.  Eppes  Tucker  was  elected  President  and  Gen- 
eral H.  Jones  Secretary.  The  names  of  twenty  ministers 
were  enrolled  at  the  first  session,  and  eight  lay  delegates. 

On  October  3d,  1850,  a  small  conference  was  organized 
at  Boston,  Massachusels.  The  venerable  Joseph  Snelling 
was  chosen  President.  He  had  been  a  pioneer  itinerant  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  from  the  year  1797;  was 
a  co-laborer  with  Jesse  Lee ;  assisted  in  carrying  a  table  for 
him  to  Boston  Common,  where  he  stood  and  preached  under 
the  great  elm  tree,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  first 
Methodist  Church  in  Boston,  organized  about  1795.  Hav- 
ing now  identified  himself  with  the  new  organization,  he 
labored  efficiently  while  his  strength  lasted.  Thomas  F.  Mor- 
ris was  also  connected  with  this  conference  to  the  end  of 
his  life.  He  too  had  been  a  toiling,  sacrificing  itinerant  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Latterly,  for  many  years, 
he  conducted  the  Boston  Olive  Branch,  a  literary  journal, 
and  devoted  a  portion  of  its  columns  to  the  interests  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church.  Of  the  early  associates  in 
this  conference  were  Pliny  Britt,  Dr.  William  Tozer,  J  M. 
Mayall,  since  President  of  the  North  Illanois  Conference, 
and  Wilson  R.  Parsons,  since  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  and 
Nathan  S.  Clark,  of  the  Genesee  Conference. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


THE  CHURCH  ORGANISATION  AT  CINCINNATI — CASE  OF  DR.  BISHOP 

—HIS  DEATH — SUCCEEDED  BY  ASA  SHINN. 

AS  heretofore  related,  the  expulsions  at  Cincinnati  were 
followed  by  a  secession  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  that  city,  which  took  place  August  1 8th,  1828. 
The  united  association  of  the  expelled  brethren,  and  those 
withdrawn,  formed  a  body  of  279  Christians,  now  as  sheep 
without  a  shepherd,  and  as  a  household  without  a  home. 
Arrangements  were  at  once  made  for  holding  regular  relig- 
ious services,  and  for  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship. 
Fifteen  classes  were  formed,  and  three  prayer-meetings 
were  held  weekly.  This  people  found  sympathy  and  open 
doors  with  the  pastors  and  churches  of  sister  denomina- 
tions. For  the  first  two  Sabbaths  a  hall  in  the  Cincinnati 
College  was  engaged.  The  four  local  ministers  implicated 
in  the  trials  refrained  from  officiating  for  a, number  of 
weeks,  until  their  appeal  before  the  Ohio  Annual  Confer- 
ence should  be  disposed  of.  Dr.  Truman  Bishop,  who  had 
been  an  itinerant  minister  for  many  years,  now  resided  in 
the  city,  having  a  superannuated  relation  to  the  confer- 
ence. He  had  not  been  known  as  a  Reformer,  but  was 
heartily  opposed  to  the  persecuting  course  of  the  adminis- 
tration, and  earnestly  sought  to  dissuade  the  authorities 
from  resorting  to  extreme  measures,  but  to  no  purpose. 

For  the  first  three  Sabbaths  the  Doctor  (he  was  a  phy- 
sician) was  requested  to  preach  for  this  new  organization, 
and  did  so.    Each  time  the  Divine  presence  was  evidently 
84 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHVRCH. 


85 


manifested  during  the  exercises.  He  was  also  one  day 
solicited  to  meet  one  of  their  classes,  as  the  leader  was 
detained  by  illness.  He  could  not  refuse,  though  his 
brethren  might  disapprove. 

Dr.  Bishop  was  esteemed  an  eminently  holy  man.  His 
visage  would  remind  one  of  the  portraits  of  John  Wesley, 
if  not  of  the  supposed  features  of  the  meek  Man  of  sor- 
rows, of  whom  it  was  said  that  though  ever  wearing  a  smile, 
he  was  never  known  to  laugh. 

After  the  third  Sabbath,  the  Annual  Conference  met  in 
Chillicothe.  Meanwhile,  John  Price,  a  good  minister  of 
Christ,  formerly  an  itinerant,  but  now  located,  and  who 
was  identified  with  the  secession,  was  chosen  temporary 
pastor.  At  conference  objection  was  made  against  the 
character  of  Dr.  Bishop  for  having  preached  and  met  class 
for  the  expelled  and  seceding  brethren.  His  character 
however  passed,  but  a  resolution  was  adopted,  which,  if 
it  did  not  directly  inflict  censure  upon  him,  did  distinctly 
enjoin  upon  him  to  refrain  in  future  from  officiating  for  the 
new  organization.  He  felt  that  the  injunction  conflicted 
with  the  command  of  Jesus  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature.  He  was  wounded  and  crushed  in  spirit — grieved 
that  his  conference  could  do  a  thing  so  unreasonable  and 
so  unchristian.  Feeling  it  his  duty,  he  first  located  and 
then  withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  com- 
municating to  his  presiding  elder  his  Scriptural  reasons.  In 
his  letter  of  resignation,  he  said: 

"Contrary  to  my  former  calculations,  I  now  retire  from  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  (which  is  near 
and  dear  to  me),  for  the  reason  that  the  command  of  the  confer- 
ence and  the  command  of  Jesus  Christ  given  to  me,  stand  in  direct 
opposition  to  each  other.  Christ  says  :  Preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature.  The  conference  says :  Preach  not  the  gospel  to  those 
hundreds  of  souls  in  Cincinnati  who  have  seceded  from  the  church. 
So  that  I  can  not  obey  one  without  violating  the  other.    And  if  I 


66 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


disobey  the  command  of  the  conference,  in  obeying  the  command 
of  Christ,  I  subject  myself  to  trial,  suspension  and  expulsion, 
which,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  would  be  carried  into  execution  ; 
and  I  do  not  wish  any  further  affliction  of  this  kind.  And  if  I  dis- 
obey the  command  of  Christ,  in  obeying  the  command  of  the  con- 
ference, I  shall  endanger  my  eternal  salvation.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances I  dare  not  confer  with  flesh  and  blood  ;  I  must,  there- 
fore, stand  free  to  obey  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  and  leave 
the  event  with  Him." 

Dr.  Bishop  was  now  chosen  pastor  by  the  new  organiza- 
tion, and  preached  with  great  acceptance  and  power  for  a 
few  Sabbaths.  But  his  mental  sufferings,  from  the  treat- 
ment received  from  his  conference  (as  his  physicians  testi- 
fied in  writing  to  have  been  their  belief),  induced  a  linger- 
ing affliction,  from  which  he  died  on  the  12th  of  January 
ensuing,  1829.  This  was  before  the  completion  of  the 
church  on  Sixth  street,  then  in  process  of  erection.  By  in- 
vitation, the  funeral  of  Dr.  Bishop  was  held  in  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  its  venerable  pastor,  Dr.  Joshua 
L.  Wilson,  preached  the  funeral  sermon  on  the  occasion  in 
a  very  feeling  manner.  The  text  he  selected  was  indica- 
tive of  the  esteem  and  confidence  in  which  the  deceased 
had  been  held  by  himself  and  by  the  community  :  "Well 
done,  good  and  faithful  servant — enter  thoU  into  the  joy 
of  thy  Lord."  The  discourse  and  the  entire  services  were 
very  impressive.  The  venerable  minister,  at  the  conclu- 
sion, introduced  the  sweet  hymn  of  Charles  Wesley  : 

"Come,  let  us  join  our  friends  above, 
Who  ha^»2  obtained  the  prize,"  etc. 

He  lined  the  hymn,  and  himself  led  in  singing  it,  to  the 
then  new  tune  of  Gallaher,  named  for  his  evangelist  friend, 
James  Gallaher.  The  effect  was  thrilling,  and  thenceforth 
the  tune  came  into  very  common  use  in  our  church  and 
social  services. 

Shortly  after  this,  one  of  the  leading  brethren  of  Cin- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


87 


cinnati  was  dispatched  to  Pittsburgh,  the  home  of  Asa 
Shinn,  who  was  now  mostly  recovered  from  his  sad  illness 
and  mental  prostration.  He  consented  to  return  with  this 
messenger  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  enabled  at  once  to 
commence  preaching.  His  ministrations  met  great  public 
favor.  He  was  joyfully  received  by  the  brethren,  and  as 
their  new  church  was  not  completed,  he  was  invited  to 
occupy  the  pulpits  of  the  Baptist,  Episcopal  and  Presbyte- 
rian churches,  and,  in  one  instance,  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  On  one  occasion  a  love-feast  was  held  in 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church.  It  proved  a  season  of 
great  grace  and  divine  power.  Upon  invitation  given  by 
Mr.  Shinn,  twenty-two  persons  on  that  occasion  came  for- 
ward and  presented  themselves  for  membership.  About 
this  time  he  decided  to  tender  his  resignation  to  the  Pitts- 
burgh Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  had  been  until  then  a  member,  and  fully  identi- 
fied himself  with  the  new  organization.  He  became  pastor 
of  the  new  society,  and  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  of 
the  new  church,  on  Sixth  street,  May  3d,  1829.  The 
writer  was  present,  and  heard  him  state  the  circumstance 
that  it  occurred  upon  his  birthday.  (His  age  then  was 
forty-eight  years.)  The  church  was  greatly  prospered 
under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Shinn.  Meanwhile,  he  resumed 
his  powerful  pen,  and  wrote  and  published  several  pamph- 
lets vindicating  the  positions  of  Reformers,  and  also 
numerous  articles  in  the  Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  In- 
telligencer, and  in  the  Methodist  Correspondent. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


VARIOUS  SECESSIONS  AND    ORGANIZATIONS  IN  THE   WEST,  UNDER 
THE  CONVENTIONAL  ARTICLES  OF  1828. 

THE  secession  at  Cincinnati,  August  1 8th,  1828,  with 
which  the  writer  was  connected,  was  a  prelude  to 
ethers  in  various  parts  of  the  Western  States. 

On  December  25th,  1828,  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  a  seces- 
sion took  place,  of  thirty-three  persons  from  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Hereupon  Jacob  Myers,  one  of  the 
agents  appointed  by  the  Convention  which  had  recently 
been  held  at  Baltimore,  organized  an  Associate  Methodist 
Church,  embracing  a  number  of  valuable  local  ministers  of 
that  place  and  surrounding  parts,  of  whom  were  Samuel 
Thompson,  Jeremiah  L.  Lesslie  and  Evart  Richman. 
Others  of  like  character  and  standing  soon  identified  them- 
selves, as  Joseph  Thrap,  William  Hamilton,  Rufus  Rich- 
ardson, Cornelius  Woodruff,  Edward  E.  Parrish  and  Henry 
Nash.  A  station  was  soon  established  at  Zanesville,  and  a 
large  circuit  formed  on  each  side  of  the  Muskingum  River, 
chiefly  through  the  labors  of  Brother  Myers.  His  organiza- 
tions, however,  embraced  ingatherings  of  new  converts,  as 
well  as  accessions  from  the  old  church.  An  extensive 
work  of  grace  was  experienced,  and  a  successful  camp- 
meeting  was  held  in  Zanesville  Circuit  in  September,  1829. 

On  January  8th,  1829,  Adjet  McGuire,  of  Western  Ohio, 
withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  at 
once,  as  agent  of  the  Convention,  entered  upon  the  itin- 
erant work,  preaching  and  organizing  societies.    With  the 
88 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHCRCH. 


89 


co-operation  of  other  brethren,  he  formed  a  circuit,  includ- 
ing Springfield,  Ohio;  afterwards  another  in  the  vicinity  of 
Cincinnati,  and  still  another  subsequently  near  Madison, 
Indiana.  About  simultaneously  with  McGuire.  many  other 
ministers,  of  long  standing  and  unimpeachable  character,  in 
the  interior  of  Ohio,  also  withdrew,  and  proceeded  to  take 
active  part  in  organizations  in  the  new  branch.  Of  these 
were  Saul  and  Moses  M.  Henkle,  of  Springfield;  James 
Towler  and  William  H.  Collins,  of  Xenia;  Robert  Dobbins, 
Joel  Dalbey,  Sr.,  Benjamin  Ryan  and  Jonathan  Flood,  of 
Jamestown  and  vicinity;  William  Hughey,  of  Greenfield, 
and  Daniel,  John  and  Joshua  Inskeep.  Most  of  these  after- 
wards became  active  itinerants.  Societies  were  soon  formed 
at  the  several  places  and  vicinities  named,  and  a  number 
of  circuits  were  formed,  preparatory  to  regular  itinerant 
work. 

William  B.  Evans,  a  zealous  local  minister  of  Eastern 
Ohio,  had  attended  the  Baltimore  Convention.  For  this 
he  was  unceremoniously  "scratched,"  or  discontinued,  from 
the  Quarterly  Conference  of  the  old  church,  where  he  had 
membership.  In  vain  he  demanded  his  rights,  or  an  im- 
peachment, for  cause.  So,  he  thenceforth  entered  into  the 
work,  under  the  new  organization.  His  standing  in  com- 
munity, at  the  time,  was  evidenced  by  these  facts:  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1829,  when  he  proposed  to  organize  in  Mount  Pleas- 
ant, Ohio,  his  reception  was  so  unanimous  that  the  Old  Side 
preachers  abandoned  the  appointment,  leaving  peaceable 
possession.  When  the  same  was  proposed  at  Harrisville, 
there  was  not  a  dissenting  voice,  and  the  same  result  ensued. 
Brother  Evans  soon  after  formed  a  large  circuit,  receiving 
to  his  assistance  John  Wilson  and  George  Waddle,  who  had 
both  been  formerly  efficient  itinerants  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

The  first  organization  of  Methodist  Reformers  in  Illinois, 
■under  the  Conventional  Articles,  took  place  on  February 


90 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


13th,  1829,  at  the  house  of  James  Ross,  in  Morgan  County. 
Col.  A.  S.  West,  now  of  Paoli,  Kansas,  informs  us  that  the 
number  united  in  the  original  organization  was  fifteen,  of 
whom,  at  this  writing,  himself  is  the  only  surviving  one. 
They  were:  Reddick  H.  Horn,  James  Ross,  I.  Paschal,  W. 
Babb,  L.  B.  Freeman,  Thomas  Proctor,  A.  S.  West  and 
their  wives,  and  James  Sims.  The  first  and  the  last  named 
were  elders  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They 
were  accepted  and  appointed  to  serve  as  officiating  minis- 
ters in  the  same  relation.  From  this  beginning  they  pro- 
ceeded to  effect  various  organizations.  Mr.  Horn  had  been 
persecuted  and  suspended  by  the  authorities  of  the  old 
church,  for  advocating  the  cause  of  reform.  This  circum- 
stance, and  the  sympathy  elicited  for  him,  greatly  tended 
to  open  the  way  for  organizations  in  Illinois.  We  find  the 
following  statement  in  one  of  the  then  current  periodicals : 

"Rev.  R.  H.  Horn  has  been  twice  suspended  for  opposing  the 
assumptions  and  administration  of  tiie  Methodist  Episcopal  itin- 
erants. After  his  last  trial  and  honorable  degradation,  a  large  con- 
course of  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens  were  assembled,  to  whom 
he  read  the  charges  and  specifications  against  him,  and  likewise  his 
defense  before  the  Quarterly  Conference,  in  which  he  had  produced 
evidence  sufficient  to  exonerate  himself.  He  then  addressed  the 
assembly  in  self-vindication.  After  he  had  concluded,  a  gentleman 
of  high  standing  in  the  neighborhood  rose,  and  proposed  to  take  the 
sense  of  the  meeting  on  the  subject.  It  was  unanimously  given  in 
his  favor,  and  this  without  request  of  the  accused." 

A  secession  and  organization  in  Clearfield  County, 
Pa.,  took  place  on  February  13th,  1829,  embracing  James 
McGee  and  George  Thomas,  to  whom  was  soon  added 
Samuel  Hazlett,  all  influential  local  ministers. 

On  March  7th,  1829,  Cornelius  Springer,  of  the  Ohio 
Conference,  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who  had  for 
many  years  served  in  the  regular  itinerancy,  withdrew  in 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


91 


due  form,  and  thenceforth  took  active  part  in  the  new  or- 
ganization. 

On  March  1 2th,  1829,  the  Reformers  of  Ohio  Circuit, 
embracing  West  Middletown,  Eldersville  and  Bethel,  West 
Pennsylvania,  organized  under  the  Conventional  Articles. 
Jeremiah  Browning  chiefly  officiated  in  the  organization. 
Josiah  Foster  was  the  first  who  served  as  regular  pastor  of 
the  charge,  and  after  him  John  Clark,  Jr.  Charles  Scott 
and  Lewis  Browning,  good  men  and  ministers,  here  stood 
identified  from  the  firsi.  They  each  attained  the  age  of 
eighty-eight  years. 

During  March,  1829,  a  society  of  sixteen  members  was 
organized,  under  the  Conventional  Articles,  by  James 
Montgomery,  at  Fort  Seneca,  Ohio,  in  the  bounds  of  the 
future  Sandusky  Circuit.  This  organization  had  a  remark- 
able history.  Brother  M.  was  a  faithful  and  zealous  minis- 
ter, but  labored  entirely  alone  as  a  Reformer,  there  being 
no  other  minister  ot  society  of  the  new  order  within  more 
than  one  hundred  miles.  But  he  served  his  little  band 
devotedly,  and  was  said  to  be  "all  in  all  to  them"  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  June  1st,  1830.  The  next  Sabbath 
after  his  funeral,  the  society,  then  as  sheep  without  a  shep- 
herd, held  a  consultation  as  to  what  should  be  done.  It  was 
decided  to  stand  fast,  maintain  their  integrity,  and  trust  in 
the  future  developments  of  Divine  Providence.  John 
Souder,  then  a  layman,  was  elected  class-leader.  Regular 
social  meetings  were  kept  up,  without  any  pastor,  with  an 
occasional  sermon  that  might  be  procured,  from  whatever 
source,  for  nearly  two  years,  when,  in  May,  1832,  Adjet 
McGuire  made  them  a  missionary  visit  of  four  or  five  Sab- 
baths, during  which  he  organized  two  other  small  classes. 
Having  now  but  twenty-five  members  in  all,  they  ventured 
to  call  for  a  preacher  from  next  conference,  held  same  year 
at  Pittsburgh.  Daniel  Gibbons,  then  a  young  man,  was 
first  sent.    He  was  somewhat  successful — reported  to  the 


92 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ensuing  conference  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  members. 
After  him  David  Howell  was  appointed,  who  also  had 
increase.  Now  this  isolated  organization,  so  long  stand- 
ing fast  without  any  pastor,  or  surrounding  support,  has 
proven  the  fruitful  nucleus  from  which  has  grown  a  good 
station  at  Tiffin  City,  and  several  permanent  circuits. 
Brother  Souder,  the  veteran  pioneer,  now  long  since  known 
as  a  local  minister,  has  lived  to  witness  the  results  of  his 
toils,  his  steadfastness  and  his  patient  faith.  He  has  now 
nearly  completed  his  seventy-eighth  year. 

About  May,  1829,  a  secession  took  place  at  Ruddle's 
Mills,  Bourbon  County,  Ky. ,  and  a  circuit  was  soon  formed, 
•embracing  several  societies.  Our  old  friend,  Joseph  J. 
Amos,  since  of  Indiana,  went  as  delegate  from  this  charge 
to  the  first  conference  at  Cincinnati,  same  year.  Hector 
Sanford  and  Michael  Geoghegan  were  of  the  early  laborers 
here.  In  the  adjoining  counties,  Grant  and  Pendleton,  a 
circuit  was  afterwards  formed  by  Joseph  Simpson,  who 
proved  a  zealous  and  useful  laborer  for  many  years. 

The  organization  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  which  took  place 
in  June,  1829,  is  entitled  to  be  given  somewhat  in  detail. 
The  Methodist  Church  of  that  city  was  recognized  in  law,  by 
charter  obtained  from  the  State  Legislature,  as  "the  Meth- 
odist Church  of  Pittsburgh."  The  word  Episcopal  was 
omitted,  thus  ignoring  the  disciplinary  deed  of  settlement. 
A  large  proportion  of  this  church  were  Reformers,  it  was 
believed  a  majority  of  the  male  members.  They  were  very 
intelligent  men,  many  of  them  leading  citizens.  They  were 
very  decided  and  outspoken  in  their  views.  In  1827,  their 
secretary  was  such  a  man  as  Charles  Avery,  a  local  minister 
and  a  grand  man,  who,  as  their  spokesman,  could  designate 
the  "shameful  attempt  to  expel  Reformers  from  the  church" 
as  "an  open  outrage  upon  the  principles  of  Christian  com- 
munion and  church  fellowship,  and  which  ought  to  be  ex- 
posed to  public  contempt  and  indignation."    At  that  time, 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


93 


of  the  Board  of  nine  trustees,  elected  by  the  church,  seven 
were  Reformers.  The  preacher  in  charge,  William  Lamb- 
din,  was  for  several  months  working  artfully  in  changing 
classes  and  leaders,  and  otherwise  managing  to  counteract 
reform  and  secure  control  of  a  majority  of  the  officially. 
His  course  became  so  intolerant  and  offensive  to  the  liberal 
portion  of  the  church,  that  during  the  month  of  May,  1S29, 
they  decided,  in  another  relation,  to  place  themselves  under 
a  ministry  sympathizing  with  more  liberal  principles.  A 
messenger  was  dispatched  to  wait  upon  George  Brown, 
who,  at  the  time,  was  in  charge  of  a  circuit  at  New  Lisbon, 
in  East  Ohio,  inviting  him  to  come  and  organize  them 
under  the  Conventional  Articles.  With  him  it  was  a  grave 
matter  to  think  of  secession.  And  he  was  somewhat  behind 
time  with  his  reform  brethren  in  the  ministry.  But  he  now 
at  once  concluded  that  his  time  to  act  had  come,  that  this 
was  the  providential  indication.  His  decision  he  thus 
expressed : 

"In  view  of  the  arbitrary  principles  of  the  government  of  the 
Methodic  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  itin- 
erant ministers,  in  many  localities,  and  finally  in  the  General  Con- 
ference of  182S,  had  brought  their  whole  power  to  bear  upon  Re- 
formers, to  crush  them  and  their  cause,  under  the  'Gag  Law,'  [in- 
veighing, etc.]  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  my  principles,  as  well 
as  my  friends,  have  been  expelled  from  the  church,  and  that  my 
writings  were  made  a  ground  of  charge  against  the  expelled;  and 
as  all  hope  of  an  honorable  restoration  of  the  expelled  brethren  is- 
cut  off,  by  the  degrading  terms  offered  them  by  the  General  Con- 
ference, I  deem  myself,  in  principle  and  in  honor,  bound  to  go 
with  them  into  ecclesiastical  banishment." 

Under  date  of  June  3d,  1829,  Mr.  Brown  announced  to 
his  presiding  elder  his  withdrawal,  remarking:  "The  time 
has  now  arrived  for  me  to  follow  my  principles  as  a  Re- 
former, or  abandon  them."  On  Sunday,  June  7th,  he 
commenced  his  ministerial  labors  in  Pittsburgh,  occupying 
the  Smithfield  Street  Church,  at  alternate  hours,  on  the 


94 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Sabbaths,  so  that  the  services  of  the  minister  of  the  old 
church  could  also  be  held,  same  days,  in  the  same  house. 
On  the  24th,  the  Methodist  Church  of  Pittsburgh,  by  a  ma- 
jority vote,  adopted  the  Conventional  Articles.  A  published 
statement,  by  one  of  the  brethren,  after  the  reorganization, 
says:  "We  have  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  male  mem- 
bers; among  them  fourteen  class-leaders,  four  local  preach- 
ers, and  seven  trustees.  There  are  many  females,  too,  the 
number  not  ascertained  until  they  are  arranged  into  classes." 
The  church  was  greatly  prospered  under  the  labors  of 
Brother  Brown.  But  the  adherents  of  the  old  order  of 
things  used  every  possible  means  to  eject  the  Reformers 
from  the  house,  claiming  the  whole  of  the  property,  while 
the  other  party  were  willing  to  have  an  amicable  division 
thereof.  The  party  claiming  the  whole  went  to  law.  But 
the  Reformers  ultimately  gained  the  case  in  the  Supreme 
Court,  in  1832.  They  at  once  offered  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  party  a  fair  division  of  the  property,  consulting 
their  preference  as  to  which  portion  they  should  receive. 
They  had  their  choice,  and  the  matter  was  soon  amicably 
adjusted. 

During  the  month  of  June,  1829,  Asa  Shinn,  while 
serving  as  pastor  of  the  church  at  Cincinnati,  was  invited 
by  Reformers  of  Madison,  Ind.,  to  visit  that  place.  He 
did  so.  And  on  the  27th  of  that  month  he  organized  a 
society,  embracing  thirty-six,  who  had  seceded  from  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  some  of  them  leading  citi- 
zens of  the  place.  One  was  William  Wallace,  who  after- 
wards died  in  the  itinerant  ranks.  This  was  probably  the 
beginning  of  our  church  work  in  the  State  of  Indiana. 
During  the  ensuing  winter  a  church  was  organized  at  Stone 
Chapel,  Tanners'  Creek,  Ind.,  under  Adjet  McGuire,  em- 
bracing nearly  an  entire  congregation  of  English  Method- 
ists, who  were  dissatisfied  with  the  government  of  the  old 
church.    With  them  stood  James  Murray,  who,  before  and 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


95 


after,  did  useful  itinerant  service;  and  John  C.  Wright, 
since  President  of  North  Indiana  Conference. 

In  September,  1829,  a  secession  of  about  fifty  members 
from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  took  place  at  Louis- 
ville, K.y.,  and  the  same  day  Mr.  Shinn,  who  was  present, 
organized  on  the  spot  an  Associate  Methodist  Church. 
James  H.  Overstreet,  Ben  W.  Johnston  and  Calvin  Black 
were  embraced  in  the  organization.  The  first  named  was 
a  local  preacher  while  he  lived.  The  last  two  entered  the 
itineracy,  and  served  effectively  for  many  years,  and  at  the 
time  of  this  writing,  full  of  years,  they  both  still  survive. 

About  the  1st  of  February,  1830,  George  Brown  and 
Cornelius  Springer  visited  the  Monongahela  country,  and 
organized  a  society  at  Waynsburg,  commencing  with  four- 
teen members,  including  John  Fordyce,  Sr.,  a  local  minis- 
ter, and  the  venerable  James  Barns,  who  still  survives. 
Brother  Springer  at  once  proceeded  to  form  a  circuit,  and 
was  very  successful  in  forming  various  organizations.  He 
extended  his  labors  into  West  Virginia.  Here  he  found  a 
society  of  twenty-eight  at  Pruntytown,  and  sixty  members 
on  Hacker's  Creek,  already  organized.*  William  H. 
Marshall  was  soon  called  to  enter  into  the  work  as  assistant 
to  Mr.  Springer,  and  he  thus  commenced  a  useful,  life-long, 
itinerant  service.  Father  Barns,  at  the  time  of  this  writing 
in  his  eighty-seventh  year,  believes  that  Brother  Springer  or- 
ganized at  Morgantown,  W.  Va.,  and  at  Thomas  Mapel's, 
Green  County,  Pa.,  in  the  spring  of  1830.  Of  the  minis- 
ters who  shortly  after  identified  themselves,  in  this  section, 
were  Joseph  A.  Shackelford,  Nicholas  Hagar,  John  Phil- 
lips, John  Mitchell,  Thomas  Mapel,  Asby  Pool,  John 
Clark,  Sr.  James  Robison,  publishing  agent,  and  ex  Gov- 
ernor F.  A.  Pierpoint,  experienced  conversion,  and  were 

•Letters  in  " Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer,"  March  5  and  April 
■20,  1S3Q. 


96 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


brought  into  the  church  under  the  labors  of  our  early  min- 
isters in  the  Monongahela  valley. 

On  July  5th,  1830,  a  society  was  organized  under  the 
Conventional  Articles  by  George  Brown,  at  Youngstown, 
Ohio,  of  thirty-eight  members,  thirty  of  whom  were  from 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  unchristian  course 
of  Methodist  preachers  drove  them  to  this  measure. 
Brother  Brown,  in  his  account,  represents  the  Reformers- 
here  as  men  of  intelligence  and  decision.  They  had  sent 
a  respectful  memorial  to  the  General  Conference  of  1828, 
but  that  body  absolutely  refused  to  read  or  refer  it. 

Simultaneously  with  tiie  organization  at  Youngstown,  a 
society  was  formed  at  Braddock's  Field,  Pa.,  by  Charles 
Avery,  at  the  house  of  Robert  Milligan,  a  noble  soul,  who, 
with  his  generous-hearted  lady,  for  many  years  made  their 
dwelling  a  house  of  worship,  and  place  of  entertainment 
for  their  ministers.  At  the  time  of  this  writing,  they  yet 
live  to  enjoy  a  good  old  age. 

About  October,  1830,  a  secession  took  place  of  one 
hundred  and  two  persons  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  Steubenville,  Ohio,  and  with  them  Robert  C. 
Hatton,  who  had  been  their  pastor  the  previous  year. 
This  organization  proved  a  valuable  and  permanent  church, 
embracing  a  sterling  membership.  With  it  for  many  years 
was  identified  Archibald  Hawkins,  formerly  distinguished 
as  a  minister  in  the  old  ranks. 

This  record  of  organizations  under  the  Conventional 
Articles  of  course  closes  with  the  assembling  of  the  Con- 
vention at  Baltimore,  in  November,  1830.  But  we  will 
here  state  that  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  month,  or  the 
first  of  December,  a  society  was  organized  by  George 
Brown  at  Connellsville,  Pa.  Here  Moses  Scott  soon  be- 
came known  as  a  zealous  pioneer  laborer  in  the  cause.  He 
was  eminently  successful  as  an  evangelist,  organizing  socie- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


97 


ties  in  the  surrounding  parts,  and  in  building  up  the  cause. 
He  rested  from  his  labors  in  1867.* 

^Brother  John  Gregory,  Secretary  of  the  Pittsburgh  Confer- 
ence, prepared  a  very  interesting  historical  sketch  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  in  Connellsville,  in  connection  with  a  valuable 
sketch  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  which  was  published  in  the 
Methodist  Recorder  of  September  22d,  1877. 


H 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


CALL  FOR  AN  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE  IN  THE  WEST — OHIO  CONFER- 
ENCE ORGANIZED  AT  CINCINNATI,   1829 — DIVIDED  IN  1833. 

THE  violent  proceedings  at  Cincinnati,  and  the  seces- 
sion from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  which  re- 
sulted, had  the  effect  with  Reformers  in  many  other  places 
to  precipitate  secessions  and  organizations.  As  before 
related,  churches  had  been  formed  in  various  parts  of  Ohio, 
West  Pennsylvania,  West  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Indiana  and 
Illinois.  In  view  of  establishing  a  regular  itinerant  system, 
with  the  ordinary  usages  of  Methodism,  minus  the  arbitrary 
aristocracy,  the  agents  appointed  by  the  last  Convention 
decided  to  call  for  the  organization  of  a  conference  for  the 
West,  to  be  assembled  at  Cincinnati,  as  the  central  point 
of  operations.  For  this  purpose  a  circular  was  issued, 
drafted  by  Asa  Shinn.  This  document  declared  the  follow- 
ing sentiments  : 

"We  are  not  friendly  to  an  unnecessary  multiplication  of  relig- 
ious denominations,  the  number  of  which  is  already  so  great. 
Methodist  Reformers  have  long  harmonized  in  a  sincere  desire  to 
avoid  a  separation  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  enter- 
tained the  hope  that  such  modifications  would  be  made  as  would 
be  generally  satisfactory.  As  a  minority  in  the  church,  we  were 
willing  to  submit  to  the  present  government,  provided  we  could 
have  had  the  just  privilege  secured  to  all  good  citizens  by  the  civii 
Constitution,  peaceably  to  assemble  to  converse  upon  our  principles, 
and  to  communicate  through  the  medium  of  a  free  press.  The  his- 
tory of  the  last  four  years  will  convince  every  attentive  and  impar- 
tial mind  that  this  just  liberty  has  been  denied  us.  The  power  party 
98 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


99 


urged  us  to  withdraw  from  the  church,  and  represented  us  as  dis- 
honest and  dishonorable  men  for  refusing  to  do  so.  They  then 
attempted  to  divide,  scatter  and  intimidate  us  lo  silence,  by  select- 
ing some  of  our  friends,  in  different  places,  for  ecclesiastical  execution. 
If  a  just  regard  for  wholesome  discipline  had  moved  them  to  action, 
as  they  pretended,  they  would  have  applied  their  discipline  to  all 
similar  cases,  with  an  impartial  hand.  But  they  made  their  selec- 
tion from  the  dictates  of  policy  ;  and  large  numbers  were  left  with- 
out arraignment  in  Baltimore,  in  Cincinnati,  and  in  other  places  who 
were  known  to  be  as  guilty,  or  as  innocent  as  those  whom  they  ar- 
raigned for  expulsion.  This  shows,  with  the  clearness  of  day-light, 
that  their  design  was  to  divide  and  scatter  and  suppress  the  rising 
cause  of  ecclesiastical  reformation.  Appeals  were  taken  in  vain  to 
the  higher  tribunals  of  the  church.  Annual  Conferences  and  the 
General  Conferences  alike  set  their  seals  to  these  military  executions, 
and  left  us  the  only  alternative  of  unqualified  submission  or  ecclesi- 
astical expatriation.  When  we  resolved  upon  the  latter  course,  we 
were  not  a  little  surprised  to  find  ourselves  as  highly  censured  by 
many  of  them  for  leaving  the  church  as  we  had  before  been  for  re- 
fusing to  leave  it. 

"  It  is  our  firm  conviction  that  the  principles  we  advocate  are 
essential  to  permanent  religious  prosperity,  and  that  they  are  valua- 
ble auxiliaries  to  the  civil  institutions  of  our  country.  We  were 
willing  and  desirous  to  continue  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
while  we  could  have  the  humble  privilege  of  supporting  these  prin- 
ciples, by  the  just  liberty  of  speech  and  of  the  press;  a  cause  this 
which  is  too  dear  to  be  sacrificed  for  the  sake  of  membership  in  any 
church  ;  therefore  we  are  bound  in  conscience  to  dissolve  our  con- 
nection with  that  clerical  establishment,  rather  than  tamely  to  give 
up  principles  which  we  believe  are  clearly  derived  from  the  Divine 
Oracles,  and  are  essential  to  the  permanent  welfare  of  our  poster- 
ity."* 

According  to  announcement,  the  first  session  of  the 
Ohio  Conference  was  held  at  Cincinnati,  commencing  Octo- 
ber 15th,  1829.  Ministers  and  laymen  evidenced  their  devo- 
tion and  energy  in  the  cause  they  had  espoused  by  coming 
to  this  Conference,  some  of  them  from  great  distances,  with 
the  defective  and  tedious  modes  of  travel  then  in  use.  West 

♦"Mutual  Ilights  aud  Christian  Intdligenrer,"  July  6th,  1329. 


100 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Pennsylvania  and  West  Illinois  were  at  once  represented 
there,  and  the  intermediate  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and 
Kentucky.  The  assembling  of  this  Conference  was  the  begin- 
ning of  an  era  for  the  entire  region  west  of  the  Alleghenies. 
The  Conference  then  formed  proved  a  nucleus,  from  which 
sprang,  or  branched  out,  many  conferences  in  after  years. 
George  Brown  says  of  this  first  Conference  : 

"The  greater  part  of  the  ministers  in  attendance  had  been  local 
preachers  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  most  of  them 
had  been  very  roughly  handled  for  their  reform  principles  in  the 
old  church.  They  all  came  to  Conference  balanced  by  lay  delegates, 
duly  elected  by  the  people.  This  was  the  first  conference  I  had 
ever  seen  where  the  ministers  and  members  acted  officially  together, 
and  the  action  was  as  harmonious  as  could  have  been  expected  for 
beginners.  The  Conference  made  a  very  fine  impression  upon  the- 
community.  Some  few  of  the  preachers  were  appointed  to  circuits 
and  stations  then  in  existence;  others  were  appointed  to  certain 
localities  to  make  circuits,  and  we  had  no  missionary  funds  to  sus- 
tain them.  But  the  brethren  took  God  and  their  country  for  their 
support,  and  went  forth  to  their  work  in  very  fine  spirits,  and  many 
of  them  had  glorious  success."* 

Asa  Shinn,  its  first  President,  said  of  this  Conference : 
"  It  was  a  time  of  great  harmony  and  love.  Our  congregations 
were  large  and  attentive,  and  four  or  five,  it  was  believed,  were  con- 
verted. We  had  a  love-feast,  which  was  a  very  pleasant  and  profit- 
able season,  and  eight  persons  joined  our  church.  The  Conference 
closed  with  a  manifest  increase  of  brotherly  confidence,  encourage- 
ment and  zeal  to  promote  the  great  and  glorious  cause  of  our  blessed 
Redeemer.  We  ordained  two  deacons  and  twelve  elders,  and  sta- 
tioned twenty-two  regular  traveling  ministers  and  preachers.  The 
affairs  of  the  Conference,  in  every  respect,  exceeded  my  anticipa- 
tions, and  Reformers  feel  abundantly  more  encouraged  than  they 
ever  did  before.  We  now  feel  that  we  are,  in  a  good  degree, 
organ  ized."t 

The  second  session  of  the  Conference  was  also  held  at 
Cincinnati,  September  2d,  1830.    Cornelius  Springer  was- 

*  Autobiography,  page  217. 

+"Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer,"  page  115. 


METHODIST   PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


101 


elected  President.  There  was  an  accession  of  eighteen  nun 
isters  and  preachers  to  the  itinerancy,  one  of  whom  was 
Nicholas  Snelhen,  by  transfer  from  the  Maryland  Confer- 
ence. The  aggregate  of  membership  reported  was  3,791. 
At  this  session  an  arrangement  was  entered  into  for  pub- 
lishing a  semi-monthly  paper,  called  the  Methodist  Corre- 
spondent. It  was  first  published  at  Cincinnati.  Moses  M. 
Henkle  conducted  it  for  the  first  year;  an  editorial  com- 
mittee for  the  second  year.  During  this  year,  however,  it 
was  placed  in  the  charge  of  Cornelius  Springer,  and  it  so 
occured  that  thenceforth  the  paper  was  conducted  by  him 
so  long  as  it  existed.  The  career  of  this  periodical  was  six 
years,  its  last  issue  bearing  date  November  5th,  1836.  It 
did  useful  service  as  a  Western  organ,  and  contained  many 
valuable  essays  by  the  chief  fathers  of  the  denomination. 

The  third  session  of  the  Conference  was  held  at  Zanes- 
ville,  1 83 1.  George  Brown  was  elected  President.  There 
were  fifteen  accessions  to  the  itinerancy,  and  the  member- 
ship reported  was  5,660. 

The  fourth  session  was  held  at  Pittsburgh,  1832.  George 
Brown  was  re-elected  President.  Eighteen  accessions  were 
received  to  the  itinerancy,  and  the  membership  reported 
was  7,714. 

The  fifth  session  was  held  at  Cincinnati,  1833.  Acces- 
sions to  the  itineracy,  twenty-five.  The  membership  had 
increased  to  10,348.  A  necessity  was  now  felt  for  dividing 
the  Conference.  This  was  done,  constituting  the  Scioto 
and  Sandusky  rivers,  in  Ohio,  the  line  North  and  South,  the 
eastern  portion  to  be  called  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  the 
western  portion  retaining  the  name  Ohio  Conference.  In 
great  harmony,  the  Conference  proceeded  to  make  out  the 
appointments  for  the  entire  work  for  the  ensuing  year,  and 
to  elect  two  presidents,  Asa  Shinn  for  the  Pittsburgh  Con- 
ference, and  George  Brown  for  the  Ohio  Conference.  The 
ensuing  session  of  the  former  was  appointed  to  be  held  at 


10-2 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OK  THE 


Mount  Pleasant,  Ohio,  and  for  the  latter  Conference  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky. 

The  steady  increase  of  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  resulted  chiefly  from  evangelical  work, 
the  blessing  of  God  upon  the  preaching  of  his  truth.  The 
labors  of  our  brethren,  in  many  instances,  were  attended 
with  the  manifestations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  ingather- 
ing of  many  souls.  Many  organizations  were  effected,  of 
original  membership  from  the  world.  The  writer  never 
knew  an  instance  in  which  our  brethren  sought  to  effect 
secessions  from  the  old  church. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


GENERAL  CONVENTION  OF  183O  —  CONSTITUTION  AND  DISCIPLINE 
FORMED  —  METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH  —  THE  WORD 
WHITE  —  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH  FOR   1832 — RESPONSE. 

\GREEABJ.Y  to  previous  order,  the  General  Conven- 
tion, for  the  formation  of  a  Constitution  and  Discipline, 
assembled  in  Baltimore,  November  2d,  1830.  Representa- 
tives were  present  from  Vermont,  New  York,  Massachusetts, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Georgia, 
Alabama  and  Ohio.  One  hundred  and  fourteen  in  all, 
ministerial  and  lay,  had  been  elected,  of  whom  eighty-three 
were  in  attendance.  Dr.  Francis  Waters  was  elected  Presi- 
dent, and  William  C.  Lipscomb  and  William  S.  Stockton 
Secretaries.  The  Convention  continued  its  sessions  just 
three  weeks.  A  draft  for  a  Constitution  and  Discipline  had 
previously  been  prepared  by  a  committee.  This  was  now 
presented,  discussed,  and  acted  upon,  in  general  harmony, 
and  after  due  deliberation,  adopted,  assuming  the  denomi- 
national appellative  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  compris- 
ing the  Associated  Methodist  Churches.  The  work  of  this 
Convention  was,  for  the  most  part,  commended  as  a  dignified, 
judicious  document.  It  has  been  much  admired  as  an  em- 
bodiment of  governmental  principles  and  ecclesiastical  order. 
But  in  the  making  up  of  the  Constitution,  to  the  painful  re- 
gret of  many,  an  error  was  committed,  which  was  for  many 
years  tolerated  under  protest,  with  the  hope  of  modification 
at  a  future  Convention  or  General  Conference.    The  great 

103 


i04 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


anti-slavery  excitement,  which  subsequently  agitated  all  the 
churches,  and  shook  the  entire  nation,  had  not  yet  com- 
menced. Even  in  Southern  Conferences,  there  was  thus  far, 
to  some  extent,  a  strong  feeling  against  the  practice  of  slave- 
holding.  The  Maryland' Conference,  for  instance,  at  its 
early  sessions,  took  the  strongest  anti-slavery  ground.  But 
in  this  Convention  (1830)  three-fifths  of  the  representatives 
were  from  slave-holding  States,  and  a  majority  seemed  to 
lose  signt  of  the  gospel  maxim,  that  in  Christ  Jesus,  what- 
ever be  the  decrees  of  civil  governments,  there  is  neither 
Greek  nor  Jew,  Barbarian  or  Sythian,  or  bond  or  free.  All 
could  agree  in  ecclesiastical  polity,  and  could  glory  in  "Mu- 
tual Rights"  as  a  standard  motto.  But  a  certain  servile 
class  was  ruled  out  of  the  privileges  of  Christ's  free  men. 
In  defining  the  privileges  of  suffrage,  the  word  "white"  was 
introduced,  thus  ignoring  and  disfranchising  a  large  major- 
ity of  the  human  race.  A  provision  was  also  included  that 
"neither  the  General  Conference  nor  any  Annual  Confer- 
ence should  assume  power  to  interfere  with  the  constitutional 
powers  of  the  civil  government  or  the  operations  of  the 
civil  laws."  This  was  always  understood  as  intended  for 
the  protection  of  the  slave-holding  interests,  and  to  preclude 
any  enactment  to  counteract  slave-holding  as  a  moral  evil. 
George  Brown,  who  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Con- 
vention, says,  in  his  Autobiography,  regarding  this  matter : 

"The  word  'white'  will  do  well  enough  in  the  right  place;  but 
just  there  (in  the  Constitution)  it  never  did  any  thing  but  mischief, 
as  it  cut  off  all  the  colored  people  from  voting  power  in  our  com- 
munity. Nor  could  we  get  Southern  co-operation  in  conventional 
action,  until  their  slave-holding  laws  were  as  strongly  guarded  by 
our  church  Constitution,  against  the  action  of  all  ecclesiastical 
bodies,  as  the  morality  of  the  holy  Scriptures." 

The  circumstance  heretofore  mentioned  of  the  dissolu- 
tion of  a  District  Conference,  at  Baltimore,  in  1827,  by  the 
votes  of  colored  preachers,  under  the  influence  of  a  despotic 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


105 


presiding  elder,  has  been  referred  to  as  the  occasion  for  in- 
troducing the  word  white  in  the  Constitution,  for  the  purpose 
•of  forestalling  the  recurrence  of  any  such  arbitrary  act.  And 
it  is  very  likely  that  this  circumstance  had  its  influence  with 
many.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  claimed  that  subservient 
white  men  would,  as  readily  as  men  of  color,  do  the  bidding 
of  a  presiding  elder,  when  coming  under  his  influence.  Evi- 
dence is  not  wanting  that,  in  the  Convention  of  1830,  as  in 
the  previous  one  of  1828,  members  from  the  South  impera- 
tively demanded  immunity  for  the  system  of  slavery,  and 
that  men  of  anti-slavery  convictions  belonging  to  the  same 
body,  reluctantly  yielded  to  their  demands,  for  the  sake  of 
peace. 

The  Constitution  provided  for  the  holding  a  General 
Conference  in  1834,  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  and  then  every 
seventh  year  thereafter.  A  Book  Committee  was  appointed, 
and  arrangements  were  made  for  the  publication  of  a  weekly 
church  paper,  to  be  called  The  Mutual  Rights  and  Method- 
ist Protestant.  John  J.  Harrod,  of  Baltimore,  was  engaged 
to  serve  as  book  agent.  William  S.  Stockton  was  elected 
•editor,  but  he  subsequently  declined  the  position.  Thomas 
H.  Stockton  was  then  offered  it,  but  he  also  declined.  The 
new  paper  commenced  its  regular  issues  January  7th,  183 1. 
Dr.  Gamaliel  Bailey  was  subsequently  engaged  by  the  Book 
Committee  to  serve  as  the  first  regular  editor  of  the  church, 
paper. 

By  the  action  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  General  Con- 
ference of  1828,  the  Reformers  of  that  day  were  mostly  driv- 
en from  the  church ;  that  is,  they  were  either  expelled,  or 
were  constrained  to  secede,  and  go  with  their  expelled  breth- 
ren. The  cruel  expulsions  in  Baltimore  and  in  the  Baltimore 
Conference  were  approved  and  confirmed.  The  humilating 
terms  of  restoration  offered  could  be  accepted  by  no  hon- 
orable man.  The  Memorial  sent  to  the  General  Conference 
on  the  subject  of  lay  representation,  however  sensible  and 


106 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


respectful  in  its  terms,  without  being  at  all  discussed,  receiv- 
ed such  a  lordly  rebuke  and  rejection,  that  it  might  be 
presumed  no  succeeding  General  Conference  for  many- 
years  need  fear  to  be  again  troubled  with  memorials  on  that 
subject. 

Yet  the  General  Conference  of  1832,  finding  itself  so 
happily  relieved  of  this  annoyance,  was  yet  not  satisfied  to 
let  reform  die,  without  giving  it,  if  possible,  a  few  more 
mortal  thrusts.  The  Conference  seemed  unwilling  that  the 
banished  Reformers  should  occupy  their  newly  erected  ec- 
clesiastical shelter  till  some  effort  was  made  to  demolish  it. 
A  Pastoral  Address  of  the  Conference  was  published,  with 
the  signatures  of  the  bishops,  in  which  was  given  the  most 
sycophantic  laudations  of  the  economy  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  the  most  bemeaning  and  unchari- 
table thrusts  at  the  recently  organized  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  speaking  of  it  as  "  a  party  under  the  denomination 
of  Reformers,  (which)  labored  to  change  the  economy  of 
our  church,  or  failing  in  that  purpose,  to  overturn  the  church 
itself."  The  Address  boasted  of  their  continued  success, 
and  represented  our  enterprise  as  a  "complete  failure!" 

A  review  of  this  General  Conference  Address  was  issued 
by  a  committee  of  ministers  and  laymen  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  at  Baltimore,  in  July,  1832.  The  review 
is  from  the  pen  of  Asa  Shinn,  chairman,  and  contains,  with 
many  other  effective  utterances,  the  following  pointed  retort: 

"That  we  labored  to  change  their  'economy'  of  acting  by  the 
authority  of  absolute  bishops  for  life,  and  irresponsible  itinerants, 
without  any  check  or  control  in  the  body  of  the  people,  is  admitted  ; 
but  the  public  declaration  of  the  General  Conference,  that  we  '  la- 
bored to  overturn  the  church  itself,'  is  an  official  falsehood,  of  a 
very  slanderous  character.  We  deny  having  labored  for  any  such 
purpose;  and  we  call  upon  I  he  General  Conference  to  sustain  the 
charge  by  evidence,  or  otherwise  to  stand  convicted  of  a  public  and 
official  slander,  perhaps  without  a  parallel  in  all  history. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


107 


"In  regard  to  the  'complete  failure'  of  our  enterprise,  it  is  true 
we  failed  to  have  our  petition  brought  fairly  before  the  General 
Conference  of  1828.  They  took  care  to  produce  the  '  failure,'  by 
their  previous  course  of  expulsions.  We  failed  also,  in  our  efforts 
to  have  the  expelled  ministers  and  members  restored  to  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  church.  But  in  regard  to  the  'enterprise,'  to  organize 
a  new  community,  the  necessity  of  which  they  imposed  upon  us, 
and  to  produce  a  better  form  of  church  government  then  Episcopal 
Methodism  ever  knew,  in  these  matters  there  has  been  no  failure." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


FIRST  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  THE  METHODIST  PROTESTANT 
CHURCH,  1834,  GEORGETOWN,  D.  C. — EDITORSHIP  OF  NICHOLAS 
SNETHEN  AND  ASA  SHINN — ABOLITION  INTERDICTED — ILLINOIS 
CONFERENCE  SET  OFF — DEARBORN  COLLEGE. 

AGREEABLY  to  constitutional  provision,  the  first  Gen. 
eral  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
•was  convened  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  on  May  6lh,  1834. 
Thirty  representatives  were  in  attendance — sixteen  ministe- 
rial and  fourteen  lay.  Nicholas  Snethen  was  elected  Presi- 
dent and  William  C.  Lipscomb  Secretary. 

Fourteen  annual  conferences  were  now  recognized,  in- 
cluding one  recently  organized  in  Northern  New  York, 
called  Champlain.  Also,  the  division  of  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence having  been  duly  reported  to  the  General  Conference 
and  approved,  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  was  duly  recog- 
nized. The  list  of  conferences  stands  thus:  Maryland, 
Pennsylvania,  New  York,  Champlain,  Vermont,  Massa- 
chusetts, Genesee,  Virginia,  Ohio,  Pittsburgh,  North  Caro- 
lina, Georgia,  Alabama,  Tennessee. 

The  aggregate  of  membership  reported  from  the  entire 
connection  was  twenty-six  thousand  five  hundred  and 
eighty-seven,  with  over  five  hundred  ministers  and  preach- 
ers, itinerant  and  unstationed.  No  attempt  was  made  to 
change  the  Constitution,  but  considerable  revision  of  the 
Discipline  was  effected.  The  business  of  the  session  is 
said  to  have  been  conducted  in  a  frank,  open  and  harmo- 
nious manner. 
108 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


109 


This  Conference  was  a  small  body,  but  it  was  a  very- 
select  body,  embracing  the  leading  talent  of  the  church. 
George  Brown  being  temporarily  in  the  chair,  the  chairmen 
of  the  several  standing  committees  appointed  were  as  fol- 
lows: Executive,  Asa  Shinn ;  Judiciary,  Cornelius  Springer ;. 
Means  of  Grace,  Nicholas  Snethen ;  Missions,  James  R. 
Williams  ;  Literary,  Charles  Avery. 

The  report  of  the  Literary  Committee  showed  that  the 
church  paper  was  in  arrears  with  the  book  agent,  John  J. 
Harrod,  but  that  there  were  debts  due  sufficient  to  liquidate 
the  claim.  It  was  decided  to  continue  Mr.  Harrod  in  the 
agency  for  the  coming  term,  he  agreeing,  upon  his  own 
proposition,  to  allow  the  church  ten  per  cent,  of  the  profits, 
after  paying  all  expenses.  The  Book  Committee  was 
authorized,  when  a  sufficient  number  of  subscribers  should 
be  obtained,  to  employ  a  competent  editor  for  the  Method- 
ist Protestant,  and  to  change  the  editor,  after  giving  him 
two  months'  notice,  when  the  committee  deem  that  they 
have  good  and  sufficient  reasons  therefor.  The  Book  Com- 
mittee elected  were  :  James  R.  Williams,  Francis  Waters, 
John  Chappell,  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  E.  Strahan,  Luther 
J.  Cox,  John  H.  Kennard. 

A  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  was  constituted,  located 
at  Baltimore,  consisting  of  twelve  persons,  of  which  Dr. 
Jennings  was  Chairman. 

The  Book  Committee  elected  Nicholas  Snethen  and  Asa 
Shinn  to  be  joint  editors  of  the  church  paper.  The  former 
entered  at  once  upon  the  service.  The  first  issue  of  the 
new  series  was  dated  June  1 1  th,  1834.  Mr.  Snethen  had 
the  charge  for  about  four  months,  until  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Shinn.  In  one  of  his  editorials,  Mr.  Snethen  uttered  a 
remarkable  prediction.    Said  he  : 

"The  point  of  controversy  is  reduced  to  a  unit — a  pure,  un- 
mixed question  of  representation.  If  we  are  true  to  it,  if  we  are 
not  ashamed  of  it,  if  we  glory  in  it,  it  must  finally  prevail,  and> 


110 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


proselyte  every  Methodist  in  the  United  States.  They  may,  indeed, 
remain  Episcopal  Methodists,  but  so  sure  as  we  are  not  moved  away 
from  our  high  calling,  the  whole  lump  will  be  leavened  into  Represen- 
tation Methodists.  God  forbid  we  should  cease  to  glory  in  represen- 
tation !  Truth  is  mighty,  and  will  prevail.  A  few  men  might  say 
that  two  and  two  make  four,  and  some  hundreds  of  thousands 
might  say  that  two  and  two  make  five.  Now,  these  few  men  have 
only  to  persevere  in  their  assertion  to  carry  their  point.  The  de- 
cline of  representation  is  just  as  plain,  and  just  as  true,  as  the  re- 
sult of  two  and  two.  It  will  finally  convince  millions,  as  well  as 
thousands  ;  it  will,  indeed,  convince  all  the  world  !" 

Mr.  Shinn  was  at  the  time  President  of  the  Pittsburgh 
Conference,  and  did  not  engage  to  begin  editorial  service 
till  after  the  session  of  his  conference,  which  was  to  be 
held  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Ohio,  in  September  of  that  year, 
and  was  to  be  its  first  session.  He  then  removed,  with  his 
family,  to  Baltimore,  and  reported  himself  in  the  columns 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  about  the  middle  of  October. 
The  paper  was  much  appreciated  during  the  editorship  of 
those  two  eminent  writers.  But,  we  presume,  the  anticipa- 
tions of  the  committee  as  to  adequate  increase  of  patronage 
and  support  were  disappointed.  For  at  the  end  of  the  first 
year,  June,  1835,  it  was  found  necessary,  in  retrenchment, 
to  dispense  with  the  services  of  Mr.  Snethen,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  second  year,  June,  1836,  Mr.  Shinn  was  super- 
ceded by  Dr.  Daniel  Davies,  who  was  unmarried.  The 
latter  served  for  the  two  ensuing  years,  until  after  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  1838.    He  did  not  long  survive. 

During  Mr.  Shinn's  period  of  service,  an  unfortunate 
misunderstanding  occurred  between  him  and  the  Chairman 
of  the  Book  Committee,  which  resulted  in  some  pamphlet- 
eering on  both  sides.  Mr.  Shinn  complained  of  interfer- 
ence by  a  sub-committee  with  his  prerogative,  as  editor,  and 
other  departures  from  the  order  of  the  General  Conference. 
During  the  same  period,  also,  Mr.  Shinn  published  a  series 
of  articles,  advocating  the  special  call  of  a  General  Con- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


1  1  1 


ference.  By  the  action  of  a  majority  of  the  Annual  Con- 
ferences, the  call  prevailed.  A  General  Conference  was 
ordered  to  be  held  at  Pittsburgh,  in  May,  1838,  and  thence- 
forth the  original  order  was  changed,  the  General  Confer- 
ences to  be  convened  once  in  four  years,  instead  of  once 
in  seven  years. 

During  the  summer  of  1834,  a  Methodist  Protestant 
organization  took  place  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  under  the 
following  circumstances,  as  related  by  John  H.  Honour,  of 
that  city,  in  the  columns  of  the  Methodist  Protestant :  "For 
some  time  past,  dissatisfaction  existed  among  the  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  consequence  of  the 
arbitrary  and  unjustifiable  conduct  of  the  ministry.  Affairs 
at  length  reached  a  crisis.  Eight  respectable  men  of  good 
standing,  all  of  whom  had  been  class-leaders,  were  ex- 
pelled, for  a  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  discipline. 
In  consequence  of  this  high-handed  proceeding,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  other  members  withdrew,  and  formed  them- 
selves into  a  separate  church." 

In  September,  1834,  Mr.  Snethen's  volume  on  "Repre- 
sentation" was  issued  from  the  press.  He  also  subsequently 
issued  a  small  volume,  entitled  "The  Identifier  of  the  Min- 
isters and  Members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church." 

During  the  year  1834-35,  at  the  instance  of  James  R. 
Williams,  an  effort  was  made  to  raise  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars, by  a  stock  company,  to  establish  a  Book  Concern.  A 
charter  for  the  Company  was  obtained  from  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Maryland.  Thomas  H.  Stockton  was  employed 
for  one  year  to  travel  as  agent,  to  obtain  subscriptions  for 
the  enterprise.  Afterwards,  Augustus  Webster  was  engaged 
for  a  term  in  the  same  service.  Considerable  amounts  were 
obtained,  the  late  Charles  Avery  contributing  one  thousand 
dollars.    But  the  enterprise  ultimately  proved  a  failure. 

We  do  not  learn  that  the  General  Conference  of  1834 
had  any  particular  agitation  upon  the  subject  of  slavery. 


112 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Shortly  after,  however,  the  great  excitement  on  that  ques- 
tion was  all  abroad  in  the  land.  The  first  reference  thereto 
which  we  find  in  the  church  paper,  was  in  the  issue  of 
March  2d,  1836.  The  minutes  of  the  Georgia  Conference 
published  in  that  number,  contained  a  resolution  to  the 
effect  that  "the  Georgia  Conference  requests  the  editors  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  to  declare  their  disapprobation  of 
abolition."  The  same  paper  gives  notice  that  a  resolution 
had  passed  the  Book  Committee  "that  the  subject  of  abo- 
lition should  not  be  touched,  in  the  paper,  pro  or  con." 

Upon  this  matter  Mr.  Shinn  gave  an  editorial,  in  which 
he  said  :  "If  we  are  beginning  to  feel  the  necessity  to  sup- 
press fair  inquiry,  either  by  violence  or  by  policy,  the  very 
thing  which  gives  rise  to  this  feeling  will  be  apt  to  prove  a 
curse  to  us,  and  not  a  blessing.  It  is  evil  only  which  needs 
concealment,  and  which  desires  to  withdraw  from  the 
light." 

During  the  summer  of  1835,  the  New  York  Conference 
commenced  the  publication  of  a  semi-monthly  religious 
paper,  called  the  New  York  Methodist  Protestant  and  Con- 
ference Journal.  Several  years  later  we  see  it  under  the 
title  of  New  York  Luminary.  Indebtedness  being  involved 
for  the  expenses  of  publication,  the  paper  had  to  be  dis- 
continued, with  serious  loss  and  detriment  to  the  brethren 
connected  with  it. 

In  1836  the  Ohio  Conference  undertook  the  establish- 
ment of  a  literary  institution,  in  which  the  Pittsburgh  Con- 
ference concurred.  John  Clarke,  Jr.,  was  a  leading  agent 
in  this  enterprise,  and  devoted  three  years  to  its  interests. 

A  farm  was  purchased  for  the  purpose,  near  Lawrence- 
burg,  Ind.,  in  view  of  embracing  the  manual  labor  princi- 
ple. A  school  was  commenced,  conducted  for  a  time  by 
the  venerable  Snethen,  afterwards  successively  by  Josiah 
Denham  and  David  Crall.    But  in  1839  the  buildings  were 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


113 


burned,  after  which  the  enterprise  had  to  be  abandoned, 
before  the  property  had  been  fully  paid  for.  Considerable 
losses  were  sustained.  A  principal  sufferer  was  John 
Haughton,  of  Cincinnati,  who  had  been  a  magnanimous 
friend  of  the  enterprise,  and  a  liberal  contributor. 

In  1836  the  Ohio  Conference  again  divided  its  District, 
setting  off  the  Illinois  Conference,  including  all  the  terri- 
tory west  ©f  the  State  of  Indiana.  This  Conference  held 
its  first  session  at  Alton,  October  25th.  It  began  with 
about  twelve  effective  men;  but  thus  commenced  a  work 
which  has  since  gloriously  extended.  Elijah  Mc Daniel 
was  the  first  president  of  this  Conference,  and  it  began  with 
a  membership  of  three  hundred  and  forty-four. 

Dr.  J.  P.  Johnston,  who  was  a  devoted  and  sucessful 
laborer  in  the  Illinois  Conference  for  twenty-three  years, 
until  a  throat  affliction  compelled  him  to  desist,  gives  us 
the  following  reminiscence  : 

"  Rev.  James  Sims  had  formed  the  first  circuit  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  (then  Territory)  of  Illinois. 
Having  early  identified  himself  with  the  cause  of  reform,  he  took 
part  in  the  first  organization  of  the  Associate  Methodists  west  of 
Cincinnati,  in  February,  1829,  and  in  forming  the  first  circuit,  and 
finally  the  first  conference,  of  the  new  order  in  Illinois.  lie  died 
of  consumption,  February  20th,  1844,  and  was  buried  at  Arcadia, 
111.  He  had  requested  that  no  funeral  sermon  should  be  preached. 
Yet  the  ensuing  Annual  Conference,  which  met  at  Rushville,  111., 
appointed  Rev.  Nicholas  Snethen,  who  was  present,  to  preach  a 
discourse  upon  his  death,  and  that  of  Rev.  Reuben  McDaniel. 
who  also  had  departed  during  the  same  season,  in  the  triumphs  of 
faith.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Snethen  delivered,  on  .Sabbath,  a  notable 
discourse,  from  Psalms  cxii.  6.  'The  righteous  shall  be  in  ever- 
lasting remembrance.'  When  I  came  to  Illinois,  in  1839,  we  had 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  members  west  of  Indiana.  [The  sev- 
eral Methodist  Protestant  Conferences  in  Illinois  now  have  six 
thousand  members,  and  other  conferences  west  of  Illinois  nine 
thousand  more.  a.  11.  B. ]  We  h»4  six  efficient  itinerants,  three 
I 


114 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  whom  are  yet  living — P.  J.  Strong,  Richard  Wright,  and  my- 
self. The  first  preacher  we  licensed  was  Daniel  Young,  now  of 
Kansas.  P.  J.  Strong  was  superintendent,  W.  H.  Miller  assist- 
ant. The  latter  returned  to  New  York,  and  after  making  a  useful 
record  there,  went  to  his  reward.  His  daughter,  Mrs.  Conklin, 
the  poetess,  was  born  during  his  service  in  Illinois." 


CHAPTER  XX. 


SECOND  GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  PITTSBURGH,  183S— STORMY  DE- 
RATE— GLOOMY  INTERVAL  IN  THE  WEST — WESTERN  RECORDER 
COMMENCED — INDIANA,  SOUTH  CAROLINA  AND  ONONDAGA  CON- 
FERENCES. 

THE  second  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  was  convened  at  Pittsburgh,  May 
15th,  1838.  Asa  Shinn  was  elected  President,  and  Thomas 
W.  Pierson  Secretary.  Forty  representatives  were  in  at- 
tendance, from  fourteen  Annual  Conferences.  Besides  the 
Illinois  Conference,  a  new  conference  was  recognized  in 
Arkansas — seventeen  in  all.  Nicholas  Snethen  was  present 
as  an  honorary  member,  and  by  special  vote  of  the  Confer- 
ence was  requested  to  deliver  a  discourse  before  the  body. 
The  principal  committees  were  thus  officered  with  chair- 
men: Executive,  Moses  M.  Henkle;  Judiciary,  George 
Brown;  Missions,  William  H.  Collins;  Finance,  Moses 
Lyon;  Means  of  Grace,  John  Elliott;  Literary,  Luther  J. 
Cox;  Theological,  Cornelius  Springer;  Slavery  Question, 
George  Brown.  The  committees,  for  the  most  part,  re- 
ported, recommending  no  essential  modification  of  the 
Discipline. 

The  General  Conference  approved  the  plan  of  establish- 
ing a  Book  Concern,  by  raising  a  capital  by  stock  loan. 
The  Book  Committee,  with  little  change,  was  re-elected. 
The  Conference  approved  and  adopted  the  hymn-book 
compiled  by  Thomas  H.  Stockton. 

The  chief  feature  of  this  General  Conference  was  its 
exciting  debates  upon  the  subject  of  slavery.    Two  reports, 

"5 


116 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


majority  and  minority,  on  the  subject,  were  presented, 
neither  of  which  was  adopted.  The  majority  report  was 
finally  recommitted.  The  committee  again  made  a  report, 
declaring  the  system  a  moral  evil,  and  advising  the  Annua) 
Conferences  to  use  such  moral  means  for  the  removal  of  it 
as  they  may  judge  best.  After  much  debate,  this  report 
•was  laid  on  the  table.  A  compromise  paper  was  finally 
adopted,  determining  that  in  view  of  disagreement  of 
opinion,  the  subject  of  slavery  be  left  with  the  Annual 
Conferences  and  the  people,  in  their  primary  assemblies, 
for  instructions  as  to  how  it  should  be  disposed  of  at  next 
General  Conference. 

But  meager  accounts  are  left  us  of  the  discussions  and 
acts  of  this  Conference.  Its  proceedings  are  compressed 
into  a  pamphlet  of  twenty-eight  pages.  It  occurred  during 
a  period  of  depression  in  the  minds  of  our  people  in  the 
North  and  West,  from  the  want  of  a  medium  of  communi- 
cation, after  the  discontinuance  of  the  Methodist  Correspond- 
ent, in  Ohio,  in  1836,  for  an  interval  of  nearly  three  years, 
until  Cornelius  Springer  started  the  Western  Recorder.  The 
official  church  paper  was  trammeled,  in  the  instance  stated 
in  the  last  chapter,  and  which  was  deprecated  by  Mr.  Shinn. 
This  was  almost  fatal  to  its  circulation  in  the  North  and 
West.  It  was  said,  we  set  out  glorying  in  the  right  of  free 
discussion,  but  lo,  it  appears,  we  have  not  a  free  press. 

The  writer  has  been  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  a  number 
of  the  Christian  Witness,  dated  June  13th,  1838,  a  paper 
then  published  at  Pittsburgh  by  Samuel  Williams,  a  Baptist 
minister.  The  number  contains  an  article  by  Asa  Shinn, 
giving  an  account  of  the  session  of  the  General  Conference, 
which  had  then  so  recently  transpired.  For  information, 
we  here  appropriate  a  couple  of  Mr.  Shinn's  paragraphs : 

"We  regard  the  anti-slavery  discussion  in  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  as  the  most  important 
business  that  was  transacted  during  the  whole  session.    The  peti- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


117 


dons  and  memorials  were  referred  to  a  special  committee,  appointed 
to  examine  their  contents,  and  to  report  accordingly.  This  com- 
mittee reported  against  slavery;  and  the  subject  matter  of  their 
report  was  discussed  in  open  Conference,  for  two  days,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  large  number  of  intelligent  spectators.  This  was  all  clear 
gain  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,  and  was  itself  of  more 
value,  probably,  than  any  other  official  action  of  the  Conference- 
We  at  first  desired  an  official  testimony  of  the  General  Conference 
against  slavery.  But  the  resolution  leaving  the  matter,  for  the 
present,  with  the  Annual  Conferences,  and  with  the  people  in  their 
primary  assemblies,  will,  it  is  thought,  promote  the  cause  of  liberty 
more  than  would  such  official  testimony,  at  the  present  time,  and 
in  the  present  state  of  the  public  mind." 
Again  : 

"  Everyman  in  the  nation  must  take  his  stand,  either  on  the  side 
of  liberty  or  on  the  side  of  slavery.  The  signs  of  the  times  are 
portentous,  and  will  become  more  so.  The  day  is  approaching 
when  every  man  will  find  that  he  can  not  occupy  neutral  ground; 
and  it  is  better  to  take  a  deliberate  and  firm  stand,  before  the  full 
power  of  the  storm  has  appeared.  The  liberty  of  the  world  and  the 
happiness  of  the  human  race  are  at  stake.  At  such  a  time,  and  in 
such  a  contest,  indecision  would  be  an  imbecility,  and  cowardice  would 
be  a  crime.  Almighty  God  is  on  the  side  of  righteousness  and  free- 
dom, and  He  knoweth  them  that  put  their  trust  in  Him.  In  full 
view,  therefore,  of  all  the  lynch  law,  and  all  the  mob  power  of  the 
nation,  I  deem  an  avowal  of  these  sentiments  as  perfectly  consistent 
with  prudence,  as  such  an  avowal  is  with  principle,  truth,  virtue 
and  moral  obligation." 

The  Autobiography  of  George  Brown  supplies  a  link  in 
the  record,  not  found  in  the  published  Journal  of  this  Gen- 
eral Conference.  After  the  adoption  of  the  compromise 
measure,  referring  the  subject  of  slavery  to  the  Annual 
Conferences  and  to  the  people,  in  their  primary  assemblies, 
Dr.  Brown  says : 

"That  night,  we  had  a  session,  in  view  of  acting  on  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Church  Paper.  That  report  being  read, 
Dr.  Armstrong,  of  Tennessee,  offered  a  resolution  to  the  effect  that 
all  matter  on  the  subject  of  slavery  be  excluded  from  its  columns. 


118 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Then  followed  one  of  the  most  excoriating  discussions  that  I  ever 
remember  to  have  heard  in  any  deliberative  body  on  the  subject  of 

slavery.    Judge  H  ,  of  Ohio,  did  battle  for  the  South,  and  was 

provokingly  severe  on  Brother  Shinn's  argument  in  favor  of  the  lib- 
erty of  the  press.  Some  of  the  Southern  members  followed,  in  the 
same  strain — all  exceedingly  bitter  against  modern  Abolitionism. 
Shinn  then  replied  to  the  whole,  in  a  speech  of  great  power.  He 
gave  a  showing  up  of  the  manner  of  bullying  and  blustering  our 
statesmen  in  Congress  on  the  slave  question.  'But,' said  he,  'for 
one,  1  am  determined  that  Southern  blusterers,  with  all  their  North- 
ern satellites,  shall  meet  with  a  manful  resistance  in  the  General 
Conference,  in  their  attempt  to  break  down  the  liberty  of  the  press, 
in  order  to  cover  up  the  horrid  crime  of  slavery.'  " 

"All  this  time,"  says  Dr.  Brown,  "the  discussion  had 
proceeded  upon  the  supposition  that  the  General  Confer- 
ence had  full  power  over  the  question  at  issue."  He  made 
several  attempts  to  obtain  the  floor,  amid  various  demands 
for  postponement,  previous  question,  etc.,  and  finally  was 
enabled  to  remind  the  Conference  that  the  Constitution, 
Article  X,  settles  the  question:  "No  rule  shall  be  passed, 
infringing  the  liberty  of  speech  or  of  the  press,"  etc.  "The 
press,  with  us,"  he  said,  "is  constitutionally  free,  and  this 
body  has  no  power  to  make  it  otherwise."    This  seemed  to 

prove  a  quietus.    Dr.  A         withdrew  his  resolution.  It 

was  now  conceded  that  the  freedom  of  the  press  implied 
that  at  least  all  official  documents  must  be  published,  while 
communications  by  individuals  should  come  under  the 
editor's  discretionary  control.  The  law  regulating  the  pub- 
lication of  our  church  paper  was  then  read,  by  sections,  and 
adopted  without  dissent.  We  again  quote  from  the  Auto- 
biography: 

"Here,  then,  in  this  free  country,  under  the  free  Constitution  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  in  General  Conference  assembled, 
we  all  agreed  to  have  a  free  church  paper.  When  all  was  over,  the 
whole  Conference  gave  indications  of  joy  at  the  favorable  termina- 
tion of  this  stormy  debate.    Those  who  had  indulged  in  harsh  ex- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


1  i'.l 


pressions,  recalled  them,  and  asked  forgiveness,  which  of  course 
was  cordially  granted.  Then  followed  a  general  shaking  of  hands, 
and  a  great  deal  of  mirth.  Especially  was  I  happy,  because  the 
freedom  of  the  press  had  triumphed. 

"On  the  next  Monday  morning,  Thomas  H.  Stockton  was  elected 
editorof  our  free  church  paper.  Our  church  Constitution  made  it 
free,  and  the  whole  General  Conference  had  now  declared  that  it 
should  be  free.  In  view,  therefore,  of  the  premises,  Brother  Stock- 
ton went  on  to  Baltimore,  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office ;  but 
on  his  arrival  he  had  the  mortification  to  find  that,  on  the  slave 
question,  the  Book  Committee,  right  in  the  teeth  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  over  the  action  of  the  General  Conference,  had  gagged 
our  church  paper!  This  was  a  daring  act  of  usurpation.  Brother 
Stockton,  with  Christian  manhood,  declined  the  editorial  chair,  and 
refused  to  have  any  official  connection  with  a  muzzled  press.  Eli 
Y.  Reese  was  then  appointed  editor  by  the  Book  Committee.  He 
filled  his  position  with  fine  ability.  But,  alas,  for  him,  and  for  us 
all!  In  a  free  country,  and  in  a  free  church,  he  edited  a  gagged 
paper ! "* 

Thomas  H.  Stockton,  who  had  been  elected  editor,  and 
who  was  a  member  of  the  General  Conference,  subsequently 
published  a  statement,  in  which  he  spoke  of  "the  violent 
undoing  of  the  arrangement  made  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  1838,  in  Pittsburgh,  in  relation  to  the  editorial  con- 
duct of  the  church  paper;  the  Book  Committee,  after  the 
Conference  had  adjourned,  immediately  resolving,  contrary 
to  universal  understanding,  that  nothing  should  be  published 
on  the  subject  of  slavery,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
editor  was  at  once  constrained  to  resign  his  post,  and  the 
Southern  interest  secured  the  control  which  the  General 
Conference  had  denied  it."f 

Both  the  Ohio  and  Pittsburgh  conferences,  at  their  ses- 
sions in  1838,  took  determined  measures  to  establish  a 
Western  church  paper,  as  an  obvious  necessity.  Cornelius 
Springer,  then  a  member  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  was 
•See  Brown's  Autobiography,  pages  278-76. 

-j-See  Thomas  H.  Stockton  in  "  Western  Recorder."  March  4th,  1852.  See  also 
Autobiographic  Notes  to  Volume  of  Poems,  pages  805-6. 


118 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Then  followed  one  of  the  most  excoriating  discussions  that  T  ever 
remember  to  have  heard  in  any  deliberative  body  on  the  subject  of 

slavery.    Judge  H  ,  of  Ohio,  did  battle  for  the  South,  and  was 

provokingly  severe  on  Brother  Shinn's  argument  in  favor  of  the  lib- 
erty of  the  press.  Some  of  the  Southern  members  followed,  in  the 
same  strain — all  exceedingly  bitter  against  modern  Abolitionism. 
Shinn  then  replied  to  the  whole,  in  a  speech  of  great  power.  He 
gave  a  showing  up  of  the  manner  of  bullying  and  blustering  our 
statesmen  in  Congress  on  the  slave  question.  '  But,'  said  he,  '  for 
one,  1  am  determined  that  Southern  blusterers,  with  all  their  North- 
ern satellites,  shall  meet  with  a  manful  resistance  in  the  General 
Conference,  in  their  attempt  to  break  down  the  liberty  of  the  press, 
in  order  to  cover  up  the  horrid  crime  of  slavery.'  " 

"All  this  time,"  says  Dr.  Brown,  "the  discussion  had 
proceeded  upon  the  supposition  that  the  General  Confer- 
ence had  full  power  over  the  question  at  issue."  He  made 
several  attempts  to  obtain  the  floor,  amid  various  demands 
for  postponement,  previous  question,  etc.,  and  finally  was 
enabled  to  remind  the  Conference  that  the  Constitution, 
Article  X,  settles  the  question:  "No  rule  shall  be  passed, 
infringing  the  liberty  of  speech  or  of  the  press,"  etc.  "The 
press,  with  us,"  he  said,  "is  constitutionally  free,  and  this 
body  has  no  power  to  make  it  otherwise."    This  seemed  to 

prove  a  quietus.    Dr.  A  withdrew  his  resolution.  It 

was  now  conceded  that  the  freedom  of  the  press  implied 
that  at  least  all  official  documents  must  be  published,  while 
communications  by  individuals  should  come  under  the 
editor's  discretionary  control.  The  law  regulating  the  pub- 
lication of  our  church  paper  was  then  read,  by  sections,  and 
adopted  without  dissent.  We  again  quote  from  the  Auto- 
biography: 

"Here,  then,  in  this  free  country,  under  the  free  Constitution  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  in  General  Conference  assembled, 
we  all  agreed  to  have  a  free  church  paper.  When  all  was  over,  the 
whole  Conference  gave  indications  of  joy  at  the  favorable  termina- 
tion of  this  stormy  debate.    Those  who  had  indulged  in  harsh  ex- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHI  KCH. 


110 


pressions,  recalled  them,  and  asked  forgiveness,  which  of  course 
was  cordially  granted.  Then  followed  a  general  shaking  of  hands, 
and  a  great  deal  of  mirth.  Especially  was  I  happy,  because  the 
freedom  of  the  press  had  triumphed. 

"On  the  next  Monday  morning, Thomas  II.  Stockton  was  elected 
editor  of  our  free  church  paper.  Our  church  Constitution  made  it 
free,  and  the  whole  General  Conference  had  now  declared  that  it 
should  be  free.  In  view,  therefore,  of  the  premises,  Brother  Stock- 
ton went  on  to  Baltimore,  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office;  but 
on  his  arrival  he  had  the  mortification  to  find  that,  on  the  slave 
question,  the  Book  Committee,  right  in  the  teeth  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  over  the  action  of  the  General  Conference,  had  gagged 
our  church  paper!  This  was  a  daring  act  of  usurpation.  Brother 
Stockton,  with  Christian  manhood,  declined  the  editorial  chair,  and 
refused  to  have  any  official  connection  with  a  muzzled  press.  Eli 
Y .  Reese  was  then  appointed  editor  by  the  Book  Committee.  He 
filled  his  position  with  fine  ability.  But,  alas,  for  him,  and  for  us 
all!  In  a  free  country,  and  in  a  free  church,  he  edited  a  gagged 
paper ! "* 

Thomas  H.  Stockton,  who  had  been  elected  editor,  and 
who  was  a  member  of  the  General  Conference,  subsequently 
published  a  statement,  in  which  he  spoke  of  "the  violent 
undoing  of  the  arrangement  made  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  1838,  in  Pittsburgh,  in  relation  to  the  editorial  con- 
duct of  the  church  paper;  the  Book  Committee,  after  the 
Conference  had  adjourned,  immediately  resolving,  contrary 
to  universal  understanding,  that  nothing  should  be  published 
on  the  subject  of  slavery,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
editor  was  at  once  constrained  to  resign  his  post,  and  the 
Southern  interest  secured  the  control  which  the  General 
Conference  had  denied  it."f 

Both  the  Ohio  and  Pittsburgh  conferences,  at  their  ses- 
sions in  1838,  took  determined  measures  to  establish  a 
Western  church  paper,  as  an  obvious  necessity.  Cornelius 
Springer,  then  a  member  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  was 

*Sce  Brown's  Autobiography,  pages  27.5-76. 

{■Sec  Thomas  FT.  Stockton  in  "  Western  Recorder."  March  4th,  1852.  See  also 
Autobiographic  Notes  to  Volume  of  Poena,  pages  305-6. 


120 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ultimately  engaged  to  establish  and  conduct  the  paper,  at 
or  near  Zanesville,  Ohio,  he  assuming  the  pecuniary  re- 
sponsibility, but  the  conferences  giving  pledges  to  patronize 
and  sustain  it  to  all  practicable  extent.* 

In  1839,  the  Ohio  Conference  set  off,  as  a  new  district, 
the  State  of  Indiana.  The  first  session  of  the  Indiana  Con- 
ference was  held  at  John  Burton's  meeting-house,  near 
Mount  Tabor,  Ind.,  in  October,  1840.  This  organization 
gave  an  encouraging  impulse  to  the  cause  in  Indiana;  and 
the  Conference  has  ever  enjoyed  a  degree  of  prosperity. 
The  first  president  was  Robert  G.  H.  Hanna,  an  esteemed 
servant  of  the  church,  who,  however,  had  but  a  short  career; 
was  taken  away  in  his  prime.  Of  the  pioneer  laborers  here 
were  Joseph  Simpson,  Samuel  Morrison,  William  W.  Paul, 
Thomas  and  Joseph  Shipp,  John  Alter,  Harvey  Collings, 
Thomas  Hicklin,  David  H.  Stephens,  George  Wheatley  and 
Charles  H.  Williams. 

During  1839  and  1840  Thomas  H.  Stockton  published, 
for  one  year,  a  small  monthly  journal,  called  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Letter  Press.  It  was  a  spirited  denominational 
paper,  somewhat  controversial,  though  almost  unsectarian, 
and  breathing  charity  throughout.  All  its  articles  were 
original,  and  from  the  pen  of  the  editor. 

The  Onondaga  Conference  was  organized  October  9th, 
1839.  It  began  with  eleven  itinerant  ministers.  At  the 
end  of  the  first  year  its  membership  was  but  six  hundred 
and  eighty-seven.  At  this  writing;  (1877)  nas  fifty-five 
itinerants  and  nearly  two  thousand  members.    Joshua  Bee- 

*The  Western  Recorder  was  first  issued  by  Mr.  Springer  in  July, 
1839,  and  was  by  him  conducted  and  published  for  six  years.  He 
chose  his  own  successor;  and  in  1845,  transferred  the  paper  to  the 
charge  of  Ancel  II.  Bassett,  by  whom  it  was  conducted  and  pub- 
lished, still  as  an  individual  enterprise,  for  ten  years,  when,  in  1855, 
it  was  transferred  to  the  church.  Its  subsequent  career  is  otherwise 
stated  in  this  work. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


121 


bee  was  the  first  who  served  as  president.  Ira  H.  Hogan 
is  now  the  only  remaining  one  of  the  original  number. 
This  conference  still  sustains  a  traveling  president,  holds 
annual  camp-meetings,  and  prospers  generally.  C.  M. 
Houghton,  one  of  its  present  effective  men,  has  written  a 
very  satisfactory  history  of  this  Conference,  with  minute 
statistics,  which  we  find  published  in  a  recent  number  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant. 

The  South  Carolina  Conference  was  organized  March 
7th,  1840.  Of  its  leading  ministers  were  Alexander  Mc- 
Caine  and  John  Burdine.  The  former  was  an  early  and 
distinguished  writer  in  the  reform  controversy.  He  died  in 
1856,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four.  The  latter  is  still  living, 
and  in  the  service. 

During  the  year  1840,  Asa  Shinn  published  his  volume 
on  the  "Benevolence  and  Rectitude  of  the  Supreme  Being." 
This  was  a  counterpart  to  his  "Essay  on  the  Plan  of  Salva- 
tion," first  published  in  18 13. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


THIRD  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  AT  BALTIMORE,  1842 — MUSKINGUM, 
MICHIGAN  AND  NORTH  ILLINOIS  CONFERENCES — ACCIDENT  AT 
ALLEGHENY — SNETHEN  SEMINARY — FOURTH  GENERAL  CONFER- 
ENCE AT  CINCINNATI,  1846 — IOWA  CONFERENCE,  WABASH  CON- 
FERENCE— CAMBRIDGE  COLLEGE. 

THE  third  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church  assembled  in  Baltimore,  May  3d,  1842. 
Asa  Shinn  was  elected  President  and  John  J.  Reed  and  Ancel 
H.  Bassett  .Secretaries.  The  session  was  held  in  Saint 
John's  Church,  of  which  Augustus  Webster  was  then  pastor, 
and  a  member  of  the  General  Conference.*  Fifty-one  rep- 
resentatives were  in  attendance,  from  sixteen  Annual  Con- 
ferences. Besides  the  new  conferences  in  Indiana,  South 
Carolina  and  Onondaga,  a  conference  was  also  recognized 
in  Mississippi,  and  authority  was  given  for  organizing  a 
conference  in  Michigan,  making  twenty  in  all. 

The  standing  committees  were  placed  in  charge  of  chair- 
men as  follows  :  Literary,  Thomas  F.  Norris  ;  Executive, 
George  Brown;  Means  of  Grace,  William  S.  Stockton; 
Memorials,  Enoch  Jacobs ;  Missionary,  John  S.  Reese ;. 
Financial,  Peyton  S.  Graves;  Judiciary,  Cornelius  Springer; 
Orders,  John  G.  Whitfield. 

From  the  report  of  the  Book  Committee,  it  appeared 
that  the  Book  Company  had  failed,  and  suspended  busi- 

*At  the  time  of  this  writing,  after  a  lapse  of  thirty-five  years, 
Dr.  Webster,  ripe  in  years,  is  the  honored  pastor  of  Saint  John's 
Church. 

122 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


123 


ness,  but  that  the  claims  of  the  church  had  been  fully  se- 
cured. The  affairs  of  the  church  paper  were  declared  to 
be  somew'hat  improved.  But  a  debt  of  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  dollars  on  the  previous  volumes  had  to  be  provided 
for  by  the  committee.  A  plan  for  relief  was  adopted,  re- 
quiring each  Annual  Conference  to  raise  a  sum  equal  to  the 
amount  of  fifty  cents  per  member,  to  be  transmitted  to  the 
committee,  who,  in  return,  were  to  send,  free  of  transpor- 
tation, the  amount  in  books  at  retail  prices.  Eli  Y.  Reese 
was  elected  editor  of  the  church  paper. 

Some  thirteen  memorials  on  the  subject  of  slavery  were 
presented  to  the  General  Conference ;  also  the  action  of 
eight  or  nine  Annual  Conferences  on  the  same  subject. 
These  were  referred  to  a  select  committee,  from  which 
afterwards  came  two  reports.  The  majority  proposed  reso- 
lutions, declaring  the  practice  of  slave-holding  an  immoral- 
ity, and  the  insertion  of  a  general  rule  to  prohibit  "buying 
or  selling  men,  women,  or  children,  or  holding  them  in 
slavery."  The  minority  advised  a  declaration  that  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  has  no  constitutional  power  to  take  action 
upon  the  subject,  and  that  it  is  inexpedient  to  express  any 
opinion  on  the  subject.  After  much  debate,  both  reports 
were  indefinitely  postponed.  And  the  following  resolution, 
offered  by  John  S.  Reese,  was  adopted.   Yeas,  23;  nays,  20: 

"Resoked,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  General  Conference, 
the  holding  of  slaves  is  not,  under  all  circumstances,  a  sin  against 
God;  yet,  in  our  opinion,  under  some  circumstances,  it  is  sinful, 
and  in  such  cases  should  he  discouraged  by  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church.  The  General  Conference  does  not  feel  authorized,  by 
the  Constitution,  to  legislate  on  the  subject  of  slavery  ;  and,  by  a 
solemn  vote,  we  present  to  the  church  our  judgment,  that  the  dif- 
ferent Annual  Conferences,  respectively,  should  make  their  own- 
regulations  on  this  subject,  so  far  as  authorized  by  the  Consti- 
tution." 


This  action  was  regarded  a  singular  conglomeration  of 


124 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


sentiment,  if  sentiment  at  all ;  for  most  of  the  affirmative 
vote  was  given  by  Southern  members,  and  most  of  the  neg- 
ative vote  by  Northern  members. 

Considerable  excitement  attended  the  debates  on  the 
slavery  question.  Those  anti-slavery  brethren  who  were 
considered  ultra  in  their  views  and  expressions  were  met  by 
extremists  on  the  other  side.  For  instance,  Alexander 
McCaine  undertook  to  defend  slavery  from  the  Bible. 
During  the  session,  not  less  than  twelve  leading  brethren, 
residents  of  Southern  States,  were  severally  invited  to  hon- 
orary seats  in  the  Conference,  some  of  whom  took  part  in 
debate.  This  was  by  some  considered  an  unfairness,  in 
giving  a  preponderating  influence  to  anti-abolition  views, 
considering  the  popular  prejudice  and  excitement  of  the 
day  in  the  city.  Intimation  having  been  heard,  from  some 
quarter,  that  expressions  used  in  discussion  might  be  re- 
garded in  the  light  of  incendiarism,  and  that  this  might 
involve  liability  to  the  penitentiary,  the  venerable  William 
S.  Stockton,  of  Philadelphia,  gravely  suggested  a  postpone- 
ment of  the  subject  of  slavery,  "forasmuch  as  we  are 
civilly  disqualified  for  acting  on  the  subject,"  and  proposed 
adjournment  to  some  other  city,  where  there  might  be  free- 
dom of  action.  One  of  the  Secretaries,  Brother  Reed, 
deemed  it  his  duty  to  return  home  with  his  charge,  the 
journals  of  the  New  York  Conference,  and  did  so,  without 
the  usual  form  of  taking  leave  of  absence.  It  was,  how- 
ever, announced  in  Conference  by  some  legal  gentleman 
that  there  would  be  no  liability  for  freedom  of  speech  in 
the  body;  that  this  could  not  be  regarded  incendiarism. 
Apprehensions  were  thus  allayed. 

In  September,  1842,  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  holding 
its  session  at  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  decided  to  divide  its 
District ;  the  portion  lying  within  the  State  of  Ohio  to  be 
called  Muskingum,  the  remaining  portion  to  retain  the 
name  Pittsburgh.    The  Conference  made  out  its  appoint- 


.METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


125 


ments,  as  usual,  and  elected  two  presidents,  George  Brown 
and  Israel  Thrap,  leaving  them  to  decide  their  respective 
allotments.  The  result  was,  Brother  Brown  served  the 
Pittsburgh  Conference,  and  while  he  lived  he  remained  a 
member  of  that  body.  Brother  Thrap  served  the  Musking- 
um Conference,  and  with  that  body,  as  an  honored  senior 
member,  he  still  stands  connected.  Both  these  conferences 
have  ever  been  prosperous. 

In  July,  1842,  a  conference  was  organized  in  Michigan, 
the  basis  of  which  was  three  circuits,  Adrian,  Franklin 
and  Jackson,  and  five  itinerants,  Jeremiah  T.  Pratt,  Elisha 
Hall,  Laban  Smith,  George  B.  Wooster  and  Beniah  Bayn, 
who  had  previously  been  recognized  and  embraced  in  the 
Ohio  Conference,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  members. 
The  new  conference  recognized  eighteen  ministers  and 
preachers,  with  James  Gay  for  first  President,  and  not  less 
than  four  hundred  members,  and  set  out,  in  full  faith,  for  a 
prosperous  career,  in  which  its  friends  have  not  been  dis- 
appointed. 

The  New  Jersey  Conference  was  set  off  from  the  New 
York  and  New  Jersey  Conference  in  1843.  Its  first  session 
was  held  at  Glassboro',  N.  J.,  April  19th,  1843.  Herman 
Bruce  was  President,  besides  whom  the  following  named 
ministers  were  enrolled:  Edward  Schock,  Allen  Nickson, 
Barline  Twiford,  William  Perkins,  Samuel  Budd,  Jonathan 
Timberman.  The  laymen  present  were  Joseph  D.  Frambes, 
John  C.  Sheets  and  Uriah  Brooks.  [The  above  statement, 
from  the  records,  is  furnished  us  by  brother  Thomas^  B. 
Appleget,  of  the  New  Jersey  Conference.] 

The  proceedings  of  the  early  sessions  are  not  found  in 
the  files  of  the  church  papers.  But  we  have  in  the  Method- 
ist Protestant the  minutes  of  the  sixth  session,  April,  1848. 
At  that  session  E.  D.  Stults  was  received  and  elected  to 
deacon's  orders.  It  appears  that  he  only  now  remains  of 
the  early  members  of  the  Conference.    He  is  now  the 


126 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


senior  member,  and  is  the  honored  President  of  the  Con- 
ference. 

In  April,  1843,  James  R.  Williams,  of  Baltimore,  pub- 
lished his  History  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 
Its  record  closes  with  the  General  Conference  of  1842. 
The  first  and  only  edition  of  this  work  was  soon  exhausted. 
Though  in  great  request,  it  was  never  reprinted. 

In  July,  1843,  Eli  Y.  Reese  retired  from  the  position  of 
editor  of  the  Methodist  Protestant,  and  Augustus  Webster 
succeeded  him  in  that  responsibility. 

The  same  year  the  North  Illinois  Conference  was  set  off 
from  the  Illinois  Conference.  P.  J.  Strong  was  its  first 
President.  Its  first  session  was  held  at  Princeton,  and  was 
visited  by  Nicholas  Snethen.  This  Conference,  at  first,  in- 
cluded the  adjoining  Territory  of  Iowa,  where  a  few  or- 
ganizations had  been  made.  It  was  proposed  to  establish  a 
literary  institution  at  Iowa  City,  chiefly  in  view  of  aiding 
young  men  in  preparation  for  the  ministry.  The  Illinois 
and  North  Illinois  Conferences  endorsed  the  enterprise  and 
pledged  their  support.  Mr.  Snethen  being  present  at  both 
conferences  was  enlisted  to  serve  as  principal,  when  a  class 
of  young  men  should  be  made  up.  But  Divine  Providence 
ordered  otherwise,  as  that  good  man  was  called  to  his  re- 
ward within  a  few  months  thereafter.  Snethen  Seminary 
had  to  be  given  up.  Meanwhile,  William  B.  Snyder,  who 
had  been  an  original  Reformer  at  Cincinnati,  had  settled  at 
Iowa  City;  was  one  of  its  founders.  He  commenced  the 
publication  of  a  religious  paper,  called  the  Iowa  Colporteur. 
Six  numbers  only  were  issued,  and  the  paper  was  relin- 
quished. But  the  good  work  extended  in  the  new  State  of 
Iowa,  and  three  years  thereafter  the  Iowa  Conference  was 
formed. 

In  1844,  Thomas  H.  Stockton  published  a  volume  of 
his  poems,  with  valuable  biographic  notes.  The  same  year, 
also,  the  senior  Stockton  (W.  S.)  published  an  edition  of 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


127 


"Whitehead's  Life  of  Wesley,"  with  an  introduction  by 
Thomas  H.  Stockton. 

A  serious  accident  occurred  at  one  of  our  principal 
churches,  on  August  12th,  1845.  The  facts  are  furnished 
us  by  brother  John  Scott,  since  a  pastor  of  that  church. 
Gas-light  had  not  then  been  introduced  into  Allegheny 
City,  but  the  brethren  of  the  First  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  there  manufactured  their  own  gas,  and  therewith 
lighted  their  house  of  worship.  The  gasometer  was  in  a 
small  building  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  and  attached  to 
it.  A  leakage  of  gas  was  discovered,  and  a  number  of 
brethren  had  met  to  examine  and  remedy  it.  They  had 
finished  their  work,  and  were  about  to  leave,  as  it  grew 
dark,  when,  from  a  lighted  candle  in  the  hands  of  one  of 
them,  the  gas  ignited,  and  an  explosion  took  place,  with 
sad  results.  John  Herring,  Matthew  Eyster,  James  Rus- 
sell and  Charles  Brown  lost  their  lives,  and  two  or  three 
others  were  seriously  injured,  but  they  recovered. 

The  fourth  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church  was  held  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  May  5th, 
1846.  Francis  Waters  was  chosen  President,  and  James 
E.  Wilson  and  Ancel  H.  Bassett  Secretaries.  Seventy-two 
representatives  were  present,  from  eighteen  Annual  Con- 
ferences. New  conferences  were  recognized,  as  follows : 
Muskingum,  Huntsville,  Louisiana,  North  Illinois,  Florida, 
Iowa  and  Maine.  A  division  of  the  Indiana  District  was 
authorized,  constituting  the  Wabash  Conference,  afterwards 
called  North  Indiana.  Likewise  the  organization  of  a 
Philadelphia  Conference  was  authorized.  But  the  Cham- 
plain  Conference  was  declared  dissolved. 

The  principal  committees  were  thus  arranged  :  Judiciary, 
Dr.  John  S.  Reese,  Chairman  ;  Executive,  George  Brown  ; 
Literary,  John  Burns;  Means  of  Grace,  Eli  Henkle ; 
Finance,  Wesley  Starr ;  Orders,  Isaac  Webster.  A  com- 
mittee of  five  was  appointed  to  have  charge  of  all  memo- 


130 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Cambridge,  Ohio.  Liberal  amounts  were  subscribed  and 
paid  by  citizens  of  the  place,  and  by  members  and  friends 
in  and  out  of  the  Conference.  An  eligible  site  was  se- 
cured, and  a  goodly  building  erected,  enclosed  and  put 
under  roof.  But  while  yet  in  an  unfinished  state,  it  was 
demolished  by  a  storm.  A  laudable  effort  was  made  to 
rebuild,  and  in  this,  good  progress  was  made,  George 
Clancy  being  chief  agent  in  the  work.  But  the  new  erec- 
tion was  afterwards  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  enterprise 
was  abandoned. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


FIFTH  GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  BALTIMORE,  1850  —  MADISON  COL- 
LEGE ORGANIZED  —  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS  AT  PITTSBURGH  — 
D.  BAGLEY,  MISSIONARY  TO  OREGON — NORTH  ILLINOIS  ANTI- 
SLAVERY  RESOLUTIONS — TROUBLE   IN  THE  CHURCH  TAPER. 

'TAHE  fifth  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
J_  ant  Church  was  held  in  Baltimore,  commencing  May 
7th,  1850.  Fifty-five  representatives  were  present,  from 
twenty  different  Annual  Conferences.  The  number  of  An- 
nual Conferences  recognized  was  thirty-two,  including  Texas 
and  Missouri.  A  new  conference  was  authorized  for  Oregon 
and  California.  The  aggregate  of  membership  reported 
was  sixty-four  thousand  two  hundred  and  ten.  Levi  R. 
Reese  was  elected  President,  and  Ancel  H.  Bassett  and 
Benjamin  S.  Anderson  Secretaries.  Standing  Committees: 
Boundaries,  Thomas  F.  Norris;  Judiciary,  George  Brown; 
Executive,  Cornelius  Springer;  Literary,  Zachariah  Ragan; 
Means  of  Grace,  John  G.  Whitfield ;  Finance,  Boiling 
Hall;  Orders,  Peyton  S.  Graves;  Sabbath-schools,  Duncan 
C.  Carson. 

The  Conference  was  memoralized  to  give  definite  expres- 
sion upon  the  sinfulness  of  slave-holding,  and  to  define  the 
extent  of  the  powers  of  the  Annual  Conference  to  legislate 
on  the  subject  Such  memorials  were  referred  to  Committee 
on  Executive.  Resolutions  of  New  York  Conference,  rec- 
ommending to  strike  out  the  word  "white,"  were  also  so 
referred.  This  committee  submitted  a  report,  through  Cor- 
nelius Springer,  declaring  the  opinion  that  "the  General 

131 


132 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Conference  has  no  jurisdiction  over  the  subjects  referred  to 
in  those  papers;  that  they  do  not  think  the  General  Confer- 
ence should  assume  the  right  to  expound  the  Discipline  for 
the  Annual  Conferences,  but  that  each  Annual  Conference 
is  to  judge  of  such  matters  as  are  referred  to  them  by  the 
Constitution  respectively  for  themselves."''  This  report  was 
adopted. 

Propositions  having  been  communicated  to  this  General 
Conference,  tendering  to  the  Conference  the  control  of 
Madison  College,  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  the  subject 
was  referred  to  a  select  committee,  which  committee  made 
report,  favoring  the  adoption  of  the  measure.  This  report 
was,  however,  laid  on  the  table,  and  the  following  preamble 
and  resolutions,  offered  by  George  Brown,  were  adopted: 

"  Whereas,  The  Trustees  of  Madison  College  have  made  an 
offer  of  said  college  to  this  General  Conference;  and,  whereas  this 
General  Conference  feels  very  grateful  for  the  aforesaid  offer. 

"Resolved,  i.  That  in  view  of  accepting  of  Madison  College,  this 
General  Conference  now  proceed  to  appoint  seven  Commissioners, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  report  to  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  at  its 
next  session. 

"Resolved,  2.  Should  the  Commissioners  report  favorably,  the 
Conference  and  the  Commissioners  shall  then  proceed  to  select  Trus- 
tees to  take  charge  of  the  college  property,  and  make  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  a  commencement  of  operations. 

"Resolved,  3.  Said  Trustees  shall  make  annual  reports  to  the 
Pittsburgh  Conference,  and  also  to  each  succeeding  General  Con- 
ference." 

The  Commissioners  appointed  under  this  action  were: 
George  Brown,  John  G.  Whitfield,  Joseph  J.  Smith,  Cor- 
nelius Springer,  Dr.  A.  Arrington,  William  Collier  and  John 
H.  Deford. 

This  General  Conference,  by  its  action,  dissolved  the  Phil- 
adelphia Conference,  by  attaching  its  principal  territory  to 
the  Maryland  Conference.  This  act  was  inimical  to  the 
feelings  and  remonstrances  of  the  Stocktons  and  others,  and 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


1 33 


was  by  them  considered  a  death-blow  to  the  cause  in  that 
quarter. 

The  report  of  the  Book  Directory  showed  a  decided 
improvement  within  the  past  four  years  in  the  financial  con- 
dition, the  exhibit  of  liabilities  and  assets  showing  an  ex- 
cess of  nine  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-two  dollars. 

This  General  Conference  determined  to  change  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  from  Baltimore  to 
Pittsburgh,  and  elected  the  following  persons  to  constitute 
the  Board  :  William  Collier,  Charles  Avery,  George  Brown, 
John  Cowl,  John  Scott,  John  L.  Sands,  William  J.  Troth, 
John  Mecasky,  William  Miller,  John  W.  Phillips,  Thomson 
Hanna  and  Mathew  M.  Laughlin. 

A  majority  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  subsequently  met,  and  decided  to  accept 
Madison  College.  The  institution  accordingly  came  under 
the  control  of  the  new  Board  of  Trustees,  in  behalf  of  the 
churches,  who  made  arrangements  to  commence  operations 
in  college  form  during  the  summer  of  1851.  Dr.  R.  H.  Ball 
was  elected  to  take  charge  as  President.  In  less  than  two 
years,  however,  he  resigned.  Dr.  Francis  Waters  was  next 
chosen  President.  He  removed  to  Uniontown,  and  entered 
upon  the  duties,  but  in  the  ensuing  month  of  October,  he, 
too,  relinquished  the  position  and  retired.  Shortly  after, 
Dr.  Samuel  K.  Cox  was  called  to  the  Presidency. 

The  New  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  organized,  electing 
William  Collier  President;  William  J.  Troth,  Treasurer; 
John  Scott,  Corresponding  Secretary.  The  Board,  em- 
ployed Frederick  Stier  to  serve  as  general  traveling  agent, 
to  collect  funds.  He  entered  zealously  into  the  work  with 
encouraging  success,  but  in  the  midst  of  his  labors,  at  Fre- 
mont, Ohio,  October  17th,  1851.  he  was  called  to  his  reward. 
J.  W.  Rutledge  succeeded  him  as  general  agent.  The 
Board  selected  two  missionary  fields,  China  and  Oregon. 
The  former,  however,  was  relinquished.    But  it  was  fully 


134 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


determined  to  establish  a  mission  in  Oregon.  Daniel  Bagley 
was  appointed  to  this  designation.  Accordingly,  during  the 
year  1852,  he  proceeded  to  Oregon,  by  the  overland  route, 
and  entered  upon  his  labors.  He  had  been  preceded  by 
Edward  E.  Parrish,  who  had  been  an  early  minister  of  the 
Ohio  Conference,  but  who  was  afterward  the  first  Methodist 
Protestant  who  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Oregon. 

In  September,  1851,  the  North  Illinois  Conference  sent 
its  proceedings  for  publication  to  the  Methodist  Protestant, 
including  report  of  a  committee  on  Slavery.  A  leading 
portion  of  the  document  is  as  follows: 

"In  view  of  the  enormous  sin  of  American  slavery,  and  the  nu- 
merous evils  necessarily  connected  with  it,  we  deem  it  our  duty  as 
Christians  and  representatives  of  a  Christian  church,  to  bear  our 
solemn  and  unequivocal  testimony  against  it  ;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  we  fully  concur  in  the  former  action  of  this 
Conference  on  the  subject,  and  do  hereby  re-affirm  our  determined 
opposition  to  all  oppression,  and  our  fixed  purpose  to  use  every  law- 
ful, constitutional,  and  Christian  measure  for  its  extirpation  from 
the  church  and  world. 

"Resolved,  That  we  believe  that  the  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  has  not  discharged  her  solemn  obliga- 
tion to  God  and  the  oppressed,  by  giving  decided  testimony  against 
the  sin  of  slave-holding;  but  that  she  may  be  induced,  at  her  next 
session,  to  take  a  proper  stand;  on  this  subject  we  urge  continued 
and  united  effort  on  the  part  of  this  and  every  district  opposed  to 
the  toleration  of  oppression." 

This  action  of  the  Conference  was  published  in  the 
Methodist  Protestant,  of  November  1st,  1851.  But  the  ed- 
itor in  the  same  issue  made  an  apology,  setting  forth  that  he 
knew  the  resolutions  would  be  offensive  to  many  in  the 
South,  but  that  the  rule  of  Discipline,  regarding  publication 
of  minutes  of  Conferences,  assumes  it  the  editor's  duty  to 
publish,  and  leaves  him  no  discretion  to  exclude.  He  was 
careful  to  say,  "we  neither  endorse  nor  controvert  the 
resolution." 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


135 


In  the  Methodist  Protestant  of  November  2  2d,  ensuing, 
the  editor  published  prominently,  in  his  editorial  columns,  a 
letter  from  a  leading  minister  in  a  Southern  Conference,  in 
which  the  writer  threatens  to  head  an  extensive  column  of 
discontinuances,  should  the  offense  of  publishing  such  reso- 
lutions be  repeated.  He  adds:  "We  wish  it  distinctly 
understood,  that  we  will  not  pay  our  money,  nor  defile  our 
tables,  nor  smut  our  fingers,  with  any  such  print  under  high 
heaven  that  will  continue  to  publish  such  contemptable, 
nefarious,  treasonable  resolutions  as  are  perpetrated  and 
fulminated  by  the  North  Illinois  Conference,  at  its  late  ses- 
sion, and  are  published  in  the  last  column  of  the  first  page 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  of  November  1st,  1851,  unless 
solely  for  the  purpose  of  animadversion  and  unqualified 
condemnation." 

In  introducing  this  letter,  the  editor  speaks  of  the  writer 
thereof  as  an  acceptable  correspondent  and  true  friend  of 
our  principles.  And,  deprecating  the  threatened  discon- 
tinuances, he  says:  "Let  these  violent  resolutions  pass  in 

silence,  and  let  Brother  and  the  editor  continue  good 

friends  to  the  end  of  life." 

The  above  circumstance  is  thus  particularly  given  as  of 
necessity,  because  it,  in  great  measure,  involved  the  import- 
ant action  taken  by  the  ensuing  General  Conference  of 
1854.  Resolutions  of  similar  import  were  afterwards  sent 
for  publication  from  the  same  Conference,  but  the  editor 
declined  to  publish  them. 

About  this  time  a  small  Conference  was  organized  in 
Wisconsin,  embracing  some  valuable  laborers,  of  whom 
were  S.  P.  Huntingdon  and  S.  P.  Kezerta,  the  latter  of 
whom  is  well  remembered  for  useful  service  in  the  Ohio 
Conference  in  earlier  years.  But  the  churches  of  this  young 
Conference  being  contiguous  to  North  Illinois,  were  ulti- 
mately attached  to  that  Conference. 


136 


A  CON'CISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


During  the  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference  at  Cincinnati, 
September,  1853,  an  interesting  Quarti-Centennial  observ- 
ance was  held,  it  having  been  twenty  five  years  since  the 
expulsions  and  the  secession  in  that  city,  and  the  organiza- 
tion of  our  church  which  resulted. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


SIXTH  GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  STEUBEN VI LLE,  1S54 — THE  TROUBLE 
WITH  THE  CHURCH  PAPER — EDITOR  EXONER  ATED— SEPARA- 
TION' OF  THE  PUBLISHING  INTERESTS — A  CHURCH  PAPER  IN 
THE  WEST — FINALE  OF  MADISON  COLLEGE — SOUTH  ILLINOIS 
AND  WEST  VIRGINIA  CONFERENCES. 

THE  sixth  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church  was  held  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  com- 
mencing May  2d,  1854.  John  Burns  was  elected  President, 
and  William  H.  Wills  and  John  Scott  were  chosen  Secre- 
taries. Sixty-two  representatives  were  in  attendance,  from 
twenty-three  Annual  Conferences.  Thirty-five  Annual  Con- 
ferences were  now  recognized.  But  the  New  York  and 
Vermont  Conferences  were  united  in  one.  The  principal 
committees  were  thus  arranged  :  Boundaries,  Peter  T.  Laish- 
ley, Chairman  ;  Judiciary,  George  Brown;  Executive,  Zacha- 
riah  Ragan;  College,  Robert  B.  Thomson;  Church  Paper 
and  Book  Concern,  John  Scott;  Means  of  Grace,  S.  B. 
Southerland;  Orders,  Oscar  H.  Shaver;  Sabbath-schools, 
Jonathan  M.  Flood;  Missions,  J.  P.  Johnston. 

The  aggregate  of  membership  was  reported  at  70,018. 
The  report  of  the  Trustees  of  Madison  College,  made 
to  the  General  Conference,  claimed  encouraging  success 
thus  far,  but  urged  the  necessity  of  raising  an  endowment 
fund  for  the  support  of  the  institution.  A  gracious  revival 
of  religion  among  the  students  was  recorded. 

The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  reported  its  work  in 
regular  organization,  and  in  encouraging  progress.  Daniel 
Bagley,  the  missionary,  had  already  organized  a  small 

'37 


138 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


mission  conference  in  Oregon,  with  seven  ministers  and 
preachers,  one  hundred  and  twenty  members,  and  one 
house  of  worship  completed.  The  Board  had  commenced 
the  publication  of  a  small  monthly  paper,  called  the  Mis- 
sionary and  Sunday-School  Journal.  This  was  found  a  useful 
organ  for  the  cause.  The  General  Conference  approved 
the  action  of  the  Board,  and  commended  the  little  monthly 
publication  referred  to. 

The  subject  of  slavery  necessarily  recurred  at  this  Gen- 
eral Conference.  The  representatives  of  the  North  Illinois 
Conference,  being  present,  introduced  the  following  action 
of  their  Conference : 

"Whereas,  The  Discipline  says:  'It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
respective  Annual  Conferences  to  forward  to  the  editor  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant,  post-paid,  such  extracts  from  their  minutes,  an- 
nually, as  they  may  deem  proper  for  publication  ;'  and, 

"Whereas,  The  editor  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  refused,  to 
publish  the  Minutes  of  the  North  Illinois  Conference,  sent  to  him, 
according  to  law,  in  relation  to  slavery;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  we  ask  the  coming  General  Conference  to 
examine  into  the  above  case,  and  call  the  editor  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant,  Eli  Y.  Reese,  to  an  account." 

The  editor,  thus  implicated,  who  was  present,  and  a 
member  of  the  General  Conference,  plead  guilty  to  the 
charge  of  refusing  to  publish,  and  appealed  to  the  body  for 
his  justification.  The  paper  from  North  Illinois,  with  the 
rejected  resolutions,  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  of 
five,  John  G.  Whitfield,  Chairman. 

This  committee  subsequently  made  report,  that,  "after 
careful  examination,  they  have  agreed  that  the  Annual  Con- 
ferences are  required  to  forward  such  extracts  from  their  min- 
utes as  they  may  deem  proper  for  publication  in  the  Method- 
ist Protestant;  but  at  the  same  time,  we  are  of  opinion  that 
the  editor  is  invested  with  discretionary  power,  in  the  con- 
duct of  that  journal,  andean  suppress  what,  in  his  iudg- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


139 


ment,  would  agitate  the  church,  and  injure  the  circulation 
of  the  paper,  in  the  success  of  which  all  sections  of  the 
church  are  alike  interested.  We,  therefore,  concur  in  the 
opinion  that  the  conduct  of  the  editor,  in  suppressing  the 
said  resolutions,  was,  under  the  circumstances,  just  and 
proper." 

William  Cullen,  of  North  Illinois,  sought  to  amend  by 
inserting:  "That  while  we  believe  the  editor  was  actuated 
by  proper  motives,  yet  we  can  not  but  consider  it  an  in- 
fringement on  the  rights  of  the  Annual  Conferences."  But 
this  amendment  was  rejected. 

After  prolonged  discussion,  the  report,  by  items,  and  as 
a  whole,  was  adopted. 

The  subject  of  slavery  (apart  from  the  above  action), 
having  been  referred  to  a  special  committee,  a  majority  of 
said  committee  made  report  "that  they  have  no  authority  in 
the  premises."  But  Daniel  Young,  of  same  committee, 
submitted  a  minority  report,  embracing  the  following: 

"  Resoked,  That  in  our  opinion,  American  slavery  is  a  sin,  under 
at  least  some  circumstances." 

Jonathan  M.  Flood  moved  here  to  amend  by  striking 
out  "at  least  some,"  and  inserting  the  word  "many."  But 
both  of  these  proposed  amendments  were  rejected,  and  the 
position  of  the  majority  was  sustained. 

The  report  of  the  Book  Directory  declared  the  Book 
Concern  out  of  debt,  and  with  handsome  assets  in  posses- 
sion, thirteen  thousand  dollars  over  liabilities.  The  com- 
mittee of  the  General  Conference,  having  the  subject  in 
charge,  upon  investigation  found  the  concern  in  a  healthy 
financial  condition,  with  increasing  prospects  of  future  suc- 
cess and  usefulness.  But  the  same  report  presented  what 
proved  the  all-absorbing  subject  of  the  occasion,  namely, 
the  question  of  detaching  the  publishing  interests  from  the 
control  of  the  General  Conference,  and  the  establishing  of  a 


1  in 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Western  church  paper  and  Book  Concern.  The  com- 
mittee recommends : 

"  In  view  of  all  the  facts,  rights,  and  interests  involved,  that 
any  one  or  more  Annual  Conferences,  on  their  own  pecuniary  re- 
sponsibility, entering  into  the  arrangement,  be  authorized  to  estab- 
lish a  weekly  paper,  of  the  same  size  and  form  as  the  Methodist 
Protestant,  in  the  West,  at  such  place  as  shall  be  deemed  most  suita- 
ble, to  be  under  the  control  of  such  Conference  or  Conferences  as 
shall  enter  into  the  arrangement.  Provided,  however,  that  the 
General  Conference  relinquish  all  control  of  the  church  paper  and 
Book  Concern  at  Baltimore,  to  the  control  of  the  Annual  Confer- 
ences that  may  choose  to  sustain  the  establishment  there." 

This  recommendation  was  adopted,  and  a  special  com- 
mittee of  five  was  appointed  to  advise  and  determine  the 
proper  steps  to  be  taken  to  carry  out  in  detail  the  plan  pro- 
posed in  the  premises.  Committee:  George  Clancy,  John 
G.  Whitfield,  John  Scott,  Charles  W.  Button,  Zachariah 
Ragan. 

This  committee  subsequently  made  a  report,  which  was 
adopted  entire.  The  essential  points  embraced  are  these: 
The  Methodist  Protestant  and  the  Methodist  Protestant  Book 
Concern  to  be  continued,  as  heretofore,  in  Baltimore;  a 
Western  paper,  to  be  called  the  Western  Methodist  Protest- 
ant, and  a  book  concern,  to  be  established  at  some  point  in 
the  West;  each  Annual  Conference  to  decide,  and  elect  for 
itself  to  which  one  of  the  two  establishments  it  will  give  its 
adherence  and  support.  The  representatives  now  present 
from  the  Annual  Conferences  which  are  assumed  to  enter 
into  the  arrangement  to  support  the  Methodist  Protestant, 
to  meet  at  once,  and  elect  their  editor  for  the  ensuing  two 
years.  And  then,  each  Annual  Conference  entering  into 
the  plan  (or  which  may  hereafter  do  so),  to  elect  one  minis- 
ter and  one  layman,  to  convene  in  Baltimore  in  June,  1855; 
this  Convention  to  have  power  to  devise  plans  for  the  man- 
agement and  control  of  the  paper  and  Book  Concern.  The 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


141 


Conferences  severally  which  shall  elect  to  sustain  the  West- 
ern establishment  to  elect  delegates  (same  in  proportion  as 
the  number  of  representatives  to  this  General  Conference), 
which  delegates  shall  meet  in  convention  at  Zanesville,  Ohio, 
in  November  next,  1854.  This  Convention  to  have  power 
to  determine  the  place  where  the  paper  and  Book  Concern 
shall  be  located ;  to  elect  the  editor  and  book  agent,  and 
fix  his  salary  and  prescribe  his  duties,  and  to  make  what- 
ever regulations  and  arrangements  may  be  necessary  for  the 
management  of  the  paper  and  Book  Concern.  Assuming 
that  ten  Western  and  Northern  Conferences  enter  into  the 
plan,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  to  be  paid  by  the 
Book  Directory  at  Baltimore,  to  the  agent  to  be  appointed 
by  this  Convention  ;  provided,  that  should  a  less  number 
of  conferences  concur,  the  sum  may  be  proportionately 
reduced  to  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars ;  or,  should  a 
larger  number  concur,  the  sum  may  be  increased  propor- 
tionately to  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  George 
Clancy  and  Jonathan  M.  Flood  to  be  appointed  commis- 
sioners, to  negotiate  with  Ancel  H.  Bassett  for  the  purchase 
of  the  Western  Recorder,  which  has  heretofore  been  pub- 
lished as  an  individual  enterprise. 

The  representatives  of  the  Conferences  assumed  to  sus- 
tain the  Methodist  Protestant,  accordingly  met  during  the 
session  of  the  General  Conference,  and  elected,  unani- 
mously, Eli  Y.  Reese  to  serve  as  editor  and  book  agent. 

Madison  College  was  kept  in  operation  for  a  few  years, 
but  had  its  struggles  and  difficulties,  and  it  cost  its  best 
friends  much  anxiety  and  trouble,  as  well  as  considerable 
treasure,  and  finally  the  mortification  of  a  failure,  during 
the  fall  of  1857.  When  the  institution  was  projected 
(1850),  it  was  claimed  that  Uniontown,  Pa.,  was  situated 
near  Mason  and  Dixon's  Line,  at  a  suitable  center  point  for 
the  church  at  large,  North  and  South.  It  appears  that  to 
secure  the  confidence  and  the  patronage  of  the  South,  apor- 


142 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


tion  of  the  commissioners  and  of  the  trustees  were  selected 
from  the  Southern  Conferences,  and  the  President  and  all 
the  Faculty,  save  one  (Professor  George  B.  McElroy),  were 
chosen  from  the  South.  A  goodly  number  of  students  from 
that  quarter  were  brought  into  the  College,  and  matters 
proceeded  harmoniously  for  some  time.  But  in  course  of 
time,  it  fully  appeared  that  the  atmosphere  did  not  suit  the 
Southern  members  of  the  Faculty,  and  that  their  methods  and 
administration  were  inimical  to  the  views  and  feelings  of  the 
working  Trustees,  especially  of  the  President  of  the  Board, 
Dr.  George  Brown.  The  precipitous  expulsion  of  a  student, 
and  their  refusal  to  restore  him  upon  his  confession  and 
repentance,  gave  great  pain  and  mortification  to  tender 
hearts,  and  caused  much  injury  to  the  institution.  At  the 
annual  commencement  in  1855,  all  the  Faculty  resigned, 
and  the  retiring  President  announced  that  they  had  made 
arrangements  to  open  a  Methodist  Protestant  College  at 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  the  following  September.  The  Southern 
instructors  accordingly  left,  and  with  them  eighty-five  of 
the  students. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  now  impressed  Dr.  Brown  to 
serve  as  President  of  the  College.  He  assumed  the  duties 
with  much  distrust,  as  the  institution  was  seriously  crippled. 
A  new  faculty  was  now  constituted,  all  from  free  States,  in- 
cluding Professor  George  B.  McElroy.  The  new  President, 
who  had  already  suffered  incalculable  toil  and  sacrifice  for  the 
institution,  while  in  the  relation  of  President  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  had  now  great  burdens  to  carry,  in  going 
abroad,  and  soliciting  funds  to  pay  off  debts;  and  meet  the 
claims  of  instructors,  caring  the  less  for  his  own.  But  the 
new  arrangement  worked  harmoniously,  and  it  seemed  that 
the  College  would  have  gone  on  successfully,  but  that  stu- 
dents were  but  sparingly  supplied;  and  the  church  and  the 
conferences,  and  even  the  citizens  of  Uniontown,  failed  to 
fulfill  their  pledges  in  supplying  pecuniary  means.    In  the 


9 

METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH.  143 

fall  of  1857,  the  Trustees,  in  consultation,  found  it  advisa- 
ble to  close  the  College  and  relinquish  the  enterprise.  Dr. 
Brown  says,  in  his  Autobiography:  "A  non-paying  institu- 
tion, crippled  in  so  many  ways,  could  not  be  carried  on. 
Madison  College,  if  my  information  be  correct,  has  been 
sold,  to  pay  debts  due.  I  have  been  a  great  sufferer  in 
many  ways,  in  my  efforts  to  carry  on  that  institution  for  the 
church.  My  head  turned  gray  very  fast,  while  I  resided  in 
Union  town." 

In  1853,  the  South  Illinois  Conference  was  set  off  from 
the  Illinois  Conference.  Its  first  president  was  Richard 
Wright.  First  session  held  at  Brooks'  Camp-ground.  This 
Conference  stood  connected  with  the  Methodist  Church 
until  the  reunion  in  1877.  But  meanwhile,  a  conference  of 
the  same  name,  connected  with  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  after  the  suspension  of  the  other  conferences,  was 
organized,  and  was  also  in  operation  when  the  reunion 
took  place. 

In  1854,  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  set  off  the  West 
Virginia  Conference,  which  has  since  become  a  strong  and 
prosperous  body.  In  the  adjustments  after  the  "suspen- 
sion" of  1858,  the  main  portion  of  this  Conference  elected 
to  adhere  to  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  Dr.  Peter 
T.  Laishley  was  the  first  President  of  this  Conference. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


CONVENTION  OF  1854,  AT  ZANESVILLE — "WESTERN  METHODIST 
PROTESTANT" — REMOVAL  TO  SPRINGFIELD,  OHIO — CONVENTION 
AT  BALTIMORE,  IN  JUNE,  IS55. 

THE  Convention  provided  for  by  the  action  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  1854,  composed  of  delegates 
from  Northern  and  Western  Conferences,  concurring  and 
uniting  in  the  establishment  of  a  Western  church  paper 
and  Book  Concern,  met,  pursuant  to  order,  at  Zanesville, 
Ohio,  November  1st,  1854.  John  Burns  was  chosen  Pres- 
ident, and  Joseph  J.  White  Secretary.  It  was  found  that 
nine  Annual  Conferences,  so  far  as  heard  from,  had  de- 
clared their  concurrence  in  the  measure,  and  had  elected 
delegates,  seventeen  of  whom  were  in  attendance,  namely : 
Ministers — James  H.  Richards,  Elias  A.  Wheat,  John 
Burns,  George  Clancy,  Israel  Thrap,  William  Hamilton, 
Charles  H.  Williams,  Joseph  J.  White,  Ancel  H.  Bassett. 
Laymen — Thomas  A.  Reed,  Allen  W.  Beatty,  Jeremiah 
Springer,  George  Cassell,  James  M.  Johnson,  William  Fish, 
Robinson  Ramsby,  J.  Laughead.  Others  communicated 
by  letter. 

George  Clancy  and  Jonathan  M.  Flood,  Commissioners 
appointed  by  the  General  Conference,  made  a  report  that 
they  had  arranged  with  Ancel  H.  Bassett  for  the  purchase 
of  the  Western  Recorder,  press,  types  and  fixtures,  sub- 
scription list  and  good-will,  for  one  thousand  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars.  The  report  was  approved  and  adopted. 
144 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


145 


Ancel  H.  Bassett  was,  by  ballot,  unanimously  elected  Edi- 
tor and  Book  Agent.  The  future  location  of  the  paper  and 
Book  Concern  was,  by  ballot,  determined  to  be  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  the  removal  to  take  place  at  the  end  of  the  cur- 
rent volume  of  the  paper,  which  was  thenceforth  to  be  en- 
titled the  Western  Methodist  Protestant. 

A  committee  having  duly  investigated  the  subject,  made 
a  report,  through  Thomas  A.  Reed,  that  our  Western  in- 
terest should  be  considered  entitled  to  receive  from  the  parent 
Book  Directory,  at  Baltimore,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  three 
hundred  dollars,  upon  the  principles  indicated  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference.  This  was  adopted,  and  George  Clancy 
was  appointed  as  agent  of  the  Convention  to  obtain  pay- 
ment, and  pay  over  to  the  new  Board  of  Trust. 

The  Convention,  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  the 
General  Conference,  made  definite  arrangements  and  reg- 
ulations for  publishing  a  weekly  church  paper,  and  for  es- 
tablishing a  Book  Concern  at  Springfield.  The  Convention 
elected  nine  Trustees,  to  constitute  a  Board,  or  Literary 
Committee,  at  Springfield,  to  have  oversight  of  the  busi- 
ness, three  of  whom  are  to  be  constituted  a  Board  of 
Trust.  Those  elected  were:  Israel  Thrap,  Elias  A.  Wheat, 
George  Clancy,  Ambrose  H.  Trumbo,  Jonathan  M.  Flood, 
William  Steel,  William  Fish,  Daniel  A.  Jones,  Laybourn 
Newlove. 

The  business  of  the  Convention  was  transacted  with 
great  unanimity,  and  a  good  religious  season  was  enjoyed 
during  the  occasion.  The  Convention  confined  itself  to 
the  legitimate  business  upon  which  it  was  called,  designat- 
ing, however,  another  Convention,  to  be  held  at  Spring- 
field, in  November,  1856. 

The  appointed  Trustees  subsequently  organized  them- 
selves into  a  Literary  and  Publishing  Society,  at  Spring- 
field, for  the  purpose  of  regularly  assuming  control  of  the 

K 


146 


A   CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


business  entrusted  to  them.  Ambrose  H.  Trumbo  was 
chosen  President ;  William  Fish,  Secretary ;  William  Steel, 
Treasurer;  William  Steel,  Daniel  A.  Jones,  Laybourn 
Newlove,  Board  of  Trust. 

In  September,  1855,  at  the  ending  of  the  sixteenth  vol- 
ume of  the  Western  Recorder,  the  printing  establishment 
was  removed  to  Springfield,  and  so  soon  as  practicable  the 
regular  issues  of  the  Western  Methodist  Protestant  were  com- 
menced, from  the  new  location,  with  new  type,  and  a  sub- 
scription list  of  over  two  thousand  five  hundred.  Mean- 
while, George  Clancy,  agent,  made  a  report  to  the  Board 
that  a  satisfactory  settlement  had  been  made  with  the  Bal- 
timore Book  Directory,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  three 
hundred  dollars  having  been  duly  arranged  for  in  cash, 
books  and  promissory  notes.  Also,  that  the  amount  agreed 
upon  for  the  purchase  of  the  Western  Recorder  had  been 
arranged  for,  and  that  the  property  and  good  will  had  been 
duly  transferred.  This  action  of  the  agent  was  concurred 
in  and  approved  by  the  Board. 

Agreeably  to  arrangement  made  at  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  1854,  the  Convention  of  Commissioners  of  the 
several  Annual  Conferences  engaged  to  sustain  the  interests 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  and  Book  Concern,  at  Balti- 
more, met  in  that  city,  June  6th,  1855.  Ten  Annual  Con- 
ferences had  elected  delegates.  Twelve  of  these  were  in 
attendance,  from  eight  of  the  Conferences.  Judge  Beniah 
S.  Bibb,  of  Alabama,  was  chosen  President,  and  William 
H.  Wills,  of  North  Carolina,  Secretary.  The  business  was 
disposed  of  in  harmony.  The  report  of  the  Editor  and 
Book  Agent  presented  the  condition  of  the  business  as 
prosperous.  A  permanent  plan  was  adopted  for  the  man- 
agement ot  the  Book  Concern  and  periodical,  through  a 
Book  Directory.  Eli  Y.  Reese  was  re-elected  Editor  and 
Book  Agent,  to  serve  until  the  next  General  Conference. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


147 


A  Convention  is  to  be  constituted  during  the  session  of 
each  General  Conference,  but  entirely  distinct  from  that 
body,  to  transact  the  business  of  the  concern.  The  Book 
Directory  was  authorized  to  make  full  and  final  settlement 
with  the  Agent  of  the  Western  Book  Concern.  A  resolu- 
tion was  adopted,  reciprocating  the  fraternal  sentiments  of 
the  brethren  of  the  Western  Convention,  and  desiring  a 
perpetuation  of  existing  harmony.  This  Convention  claimed 
to  represent  the  wishes  of  eleven  Annual  Conferences, 
which  was  precisely  the  number  of  Conferences  at  that 
time  committed  to  the  interests  of  the  Western  establish- 
ment. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


CONVENTION  OF  1856,  AT  SPRINGFIELD,  OHIO — WESTERN  PERIODI- 
CAL AND  BOOK  CONCERN — CALL  FOR  AN  ADVISORY  CONVEN- 
TION. 

THE  second  Convention  of  delegates  from  the  Annual 
Conferences  united  in  support  of  the  Western  Meth- 
odist Protestant  and  Book  Concern,  assembled  at  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  November  5th,  1856.  John  Burns  was  chosen 
President,  and  Joseph  J.  White  Secretary.  Nineteen  dele- 
gates were  present,  from  seven  Annual  Conferences. 
Others  communicated  by  letter. 

The  affairs  of  the  publishing  office,  for  the  period,  had 
gone  regularly  forward.  But  extra  expenses  had  been  in- 
curred, in  connection  with  the  removal,  and  commencing 
business  in  a  new  location,  procuring  new  type  and  fixtures, 
a  set  of  stereotype  plates,  etc.  Hence,  the  receipts  had 
fallen  largely  short  of  the  outlays.  Yet  the  Board  of  Trust 
made  a  report  that  the  editor  and  book  agent,  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  two-fold  duties,  in  his  rigid  economy,  had 
done  without  assistance  in  conducting  the  paper,  to  the 
detriment  of  his  own  health;  while  he  had  used  his  own 
means,  when  necessary,  to  secure  the  concern  from  being 
in  debt  to  any  party. 

The  subscription  list  of  the  paper  had  increased  to  three 
thousand  and  fifty.  Ancel  H.  Bassett  was  unanimously 
re-elected  editor  and  book  agent. 

A  number  of  Northern  and  Western  Conferences  having 
instructed  their  representatives  in  this  Convention  to  con- 
148 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


U9 


sider  our  relations  to  the  slave-holding  brethren,  and 
take  some  action,  advisory  of  the  course  to  be  pursued,  in 
view  of  the  important  interests  involved,  an  advisory  com- 
mittee was  constituted  of  one  member  from  each  Annual 
Conference,  to  propose  suitable  action  in  the  case.  This 
committee,  after  much  deliberation,  made  a  report,  through 
Samuel  W.  Widney,  of  which  the  main  portion  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

"Whereas,  The  subject  of  American  slavery  has,  for  many 
years  past,  been  a  source  of  agitation  in  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  constantly  disturbing  her  peace,  and  threatening  her 
safety. 

"  Resolved,  That,  in  our  opinion,  the  advantages  derived  from 
our  relation  to  the  General  Conference,  as  now  constituted,  are 
overbalanced  by  the  disadvantages  arising  from  it  ;  and,  there- 
fore, inasmuch  as  we  can  not  reasonably  hope  for  permanent  har- 
monious action  in  said  General  Conference,  it  is  a  question  worthy 
of  consideration,  whether  the  peace  and  interests  of  both  the  South- 
ern and  Northern  Conferences  will  not  be  promoted  by  a  peaceful 
reparation. 

"Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  several  Northern  and 
Western  Conferences  to  appoint,  at  their  next  sessions,  their  rep- 
resentatives as  usual,  and  clothe  them  with  conventional  powers, 
and  instruct  them  to  meet  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on  the 
second  Wednesday  of  November,  1857,  and  then  and  there  deter- 
mine whether  they  will  attend  the  General  Conference,  to  be  held 
at  Lynchburg,  Va.,  in  May,  1858,  or  whether  they  will  take  meas- 
ures for  the  organization  of  a  General  Conference,  embracing  only 
Annual  Conferences  opposed  to  the  system  of  American  slavery. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  extend  our  warmest  sympathies  to  our 
brethren  in  the  South,  who  are  opposed  to  the  system  of  slavery, 
and  cordially  invite  their  co-operation  in  our  efforts  to  discourage 
and  banish  the  great  moral  evil  from  all  portions  of  our  beloved 
Zion. 

"Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  local  officiary  of  the  cir- 
cuits, stations  and  missions,  in  all  sympathizing  Conferences,  to  call 
the  attention  of  the  membership  of  the  church  to  these  important 
interests,  and  instruct  their  delegates  to  the  Annual  Conferences  in 


150 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


regard  to  the  subject,  in  view  of  a  general  expression  of  the  senti- 
ments of  the  whole  church  in  relation  to  the  matter." 

The  report  was  adopted  by  ayes  and  nays,  every  mem- 
ber present  voting  in  the  affirmative,  save  the  President, 
Brother  Burns,  who  alone  was  opposed  to  taking  any  action 
in  the  premises. 

The  Literary  Society,  at  its  annual  meeting,  June,  1857, 
unanimously  approved  the  action  of  the  Convention,  and 
appointed  Ancel  H.  Bassett  and  Jonathan  M.  Flood  to 
draft  a  circular,  to  be  addressed  to  the  Northern  and  West- 
ern Conferences,  embracing  the  call  of  a  Convention,  to 
assemble  in  November,  1857,  in  accordance  with  the  above 
action. 

We  here  give  a  portion  of  the  argument  used  in  this 
Call,  to  advise  the  reader  what  plea  there  was  for  holding 
the  Convention  of  1857  : 

"We  have  been,  these  many  years,  hoping  and  pray- 
ing to  become  free  from  our  connection  with  slave-holding 
by  its  removal  from  the  church.  We  have  hoped  on,  and 
we  would  hope  ever,  but  that  we  fully  find  it  is  hoping 
against  hope,  and  that  our  hope  is  not  the  hope  that  'mak- 
eth  not  ashamed,'  but  the  hope  deferred,  that  'maketh  the 
heart  sick.' 

"We  have  pacified  thus  our  consciences,  as  best  we 
could ;  we  have  made  the  best  explanation  or  apology  in 
our  power  for  our  inconsistent,  or,  at  least,  questionable 
position.  We  have  endeavored  to  struggle  on  in  our  en- 
terprise, laboring  to  promote  and  build  up  our  beloved 
Zion.  But  we  have  ever  been  impeded  in  our  efforts  by  an 
incubus  which  has  been  always  more  or  less  prejudicial  to 
our  success." 

After  sketching  the  positions  taken  by  the  General 
Conventions  of  1828  and  1830,  and  the  six  successive 
General  Conferences,  the  circular  proceeds: 

"Such  is  a  brief  outline  of  the  action,  or  rather  non- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


151 


action,  of  the  several  General  Conferences  on  the  subject 
of  slaver)'.  No  one  can  discover  that  any,  the  least 
progress  has  been  made  toward  eradicating  the  evil  from 
the  church.  And  if  any  one  has  entertained,  up  to  this 
time,  a  lingering  hope  that  a  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  will  take  any  action  at  all 
favoring  the  views  of  those  who  consider  s'ave-holding  a 
sin  and  a  reproach  to  the  church,  it  is  fully  evident  that 
such  hope,  being  utterly  baseless,  may  now  be  relinquished 
forever. 

"Does  any  one  suppose  that,  by  the  continuance  of  the 
General  Conference  connection,  and  by  our  quadrennial 
interviews,  we  have  exerted  any  effective  influence,  in  con- 
vincing our  slave-holding  brethren  of  the  error  of  their 
ways,  and  in  disposing  them  to  put  away  from  them  this 
iniquity?  Alas!  evidence  of  this  is  utterly  wanting.  They 
will  none  of  our  counsel  upon  this  subject ;  they  spurn  it  as 
interference.  They  reproach  us  for  our  intermeddling. 
In  General  Conference,  they  are  disposed  to  entertain  no 
motion  or  proposition,  looking  to  the  extirpation  of  the 
evil  from  the  church.    They  wish  to  be  let  alone. 

"Is  it  not  most  evident  that  the  slave-holding  portion  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  are  not  benefitted  by  our 
connection  with  them?  They  become  more  and  more 
averse  and  impatient  to  hear  from  us  the  least  word  of  fra- 
ternal remonstrance,  touching  the  sinfulness  of  their  pecu- 
liar institution. 

"And  if  the  slave-holding  portion  of  the  church  is  not 
benefitted  by  a  continuance  of  our  ecclesiastical  union,  it 
is  an  important  inquiry,  Is  the  anti-slavery  portion  bene- 
fitted by  continuing  the  connection?  Qui  bono?  And 
echo  answers,  Cuibono? — what  good  will  it  do  ?  Of  what 
use  is  it  ?  And  the  cause  of  suffering  humanity  inquires, 
in  sorrow,  What  use  is  it  to  maintain  a  connection  and  fel- 
lowship with  the  oppressors  of  the  poor,  and  with  those 


152 


A  CON'CISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


who  claim  the  right  to  ignore  the  rights  of  'him  that  hath 
no  helper  ?'  And  while  this  inquiry  and  these  responses 
are  going  on,  infidelity  says,  with  a  leer  of  scorn,  Ah  !  so 
would  we  have  it!  These  Christians  talk  of  a  Golden  Rule 
which  their  humane  Savior  taught  them ;  these  Methodist 
Protestants  make  boast  of  their  glorying  in  the  cause  of 
mutual  rights  !  Shame  to  their  consistency !  What  care 
they  for  the  rights  of  those  that  be  weaker  than  they  ? 

"No  fact  is  more  easily  demonstrable,  than  that  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  in  the  Northern  States,  has 
always  been  the  loser  by  the  existence  of  slave-holding  in 
our  ecclesiastical  connection.  In  our  outset,  there  were 
those,  of  acknowledged  Reformers,  who  came  not  with  us, 
because  we  did  not  establish  the  principle  of  non-fellowship 
with  it.  Here  was  a  sacrifice  to  the  slave-holding  interest, 
in  our  very  outset  as  a  denomination.  And  has  this  sacri- 
fice been,  in  any  way,  compensated  to  us  ?    We  shall  see. 

"But  it  was  held  that,  as  ours  is  a  representative  gov- 
ernment, the  remedy  is  in  the  hands  of  the  people.  It  was 
hoped  that  our  Constitution  and  Discipline  could  be  modi- 
fied in  reference  to  the  objectionable  feature.  With  this 
hope,  many  of  our  ministers  and  members,  who  were  grieved 
with  the  existing  defect  in  our  system,  toiled  on.  But  after 
every  successive  General  Conference,  considerable  numbers 
in  various  parts  of  our  work  became  discouraged,  and  relin- 
quishing all  hope  of  the  desired  improvement,  abandoned 
with  painful  regrets,  our  enterprise. 

"It  can  easily  be  made  appear,  that  by  reason  of  this 
connection,  we  have  been  suffering  a  continual  series  of 
losses,  from  year  to  year,  ever  since  the  organization  of  our 
church.  We  are  able  to  specify  cases  by  name,  in  almost 
every  Conference  District,  from  Vermont  to  Iowa,  in  which 
we  have  experienced  such  losses.  Some  of  our  dear  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry,  with  whom  our  soul  has  been  knit,  as 
the  soul  of  David  and  Jonathan,  have  long  since  left  us,  on 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


1">3 


conscientious  grounds.  Many  of  the  laity  also,  who  have 
been  dear  to  us,  having  long  labored  and  contributed  to 
build  up  our  cause,  have  for  the  same  reasons  retired  from 
our  ranks,  and  have  either  sought  a  home  in  some  anti- 
slavery  branch  of  the  church,  or  have  remained  discon- 
nected with  religious  organization.  Some  of  these  have 
deceased,  we  are  pained  to  say,  whose  choosing  it  would 
have  been  to  die  within  the  pale  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church. 

"The  President  of  the  New  York  Conference  presented 
the  following  facts,  in  a  published  communication : 

"  'Our  connection  with  slave-holding  results  disastrously 
to  our  interests  as  a  church  here  at  the  North.  We  have 
lost  one  entire  conference  (the  Champlain)  on  that  account. 
Nearly,  if  not  quite,  half  the  old  Vermont  Conference  was 
swept  from  us  by  the  same  cause.  And  all  over  the  North 
and  West,  societies  and  individuals  have  left  us,  and  sought 
other  church  relations,  rather  than  be  in  church  fellowship 
with  slave-holders.  The  drain  continues,  and  threatens  to 
become  more  serious  than  ever.  Besides,  many  persons 
refuse  to  unite  with  us,  on  the  same  ground.' 

"The  President  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  wrote  thus: 

"'We  have  been  continually  losing  valuable  members 
and  ministers,  from  the  beginning  of  our  work.  Were  it 
not  for  slavery  in  the  church,  I  believe  all  our  Northern 
work  would  have  been  double  or  triple  what  it  now  is,  and 
probably  much  more  than  that.' 

"Eleven  years  ago,  the  Michigan  Conference  reported 
two  thousand  members.  Its  latest  statistics  show  but  a  little 
rising  of  one  thousand.  An  intelligent  brother  who  lately 
traversed  that  District  as  President,  relates  a  series  of  diffi- 
culties and  disasters,  in  the  way  of  secessions  of  both  min- 
isters and  members,  and  some  entire  charges,  one  of  which 
was  the  best  station  in  the  District,  all  growing  out  of  our 
unfortunate  connection  above  referred  to. 


154 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"We  might  multiply  such  statements  of  losses  to  our 
church,  in  the  various  anti-slavery  districts,  derived  from 
the  testimony  of  reliable  brethren,  corroborated  by  a  mass 
of  facts  coming  within  the  range  of  our  own  observation. 
Such  is  the  gloomy  record  of  what  our  union  with  slave- 
holders costs  us.  And  in  view  of  the  rising  and  swelling 
interest  and  enthusiasm  almost  every-where  felt  in  the 
cause  of  freedom,  the  relation  becomes  more  and  more 
irreconcilable  to  the  feelings  of  anti-slavery  Christians. 

"To  continue  our  ecclesiastical  union  with  slave-holders, 
forebodes,  we  conceive,  in  the  very  attempt,  increased  dis- 
aster. It  would  be  suicidal.  From  many  parts  of  our 
Zion,  the  intelligence  comes  to  us,  that  ministers  and  mem- 
bers, whole  societies,  whole  charges,  and  even  whole  con- 
ferences, have  their  minds  made  up  that  they  can  not,  con- 
scientiously, and  that  they  will  not,  consent  to  perpetuate 
their  connection  with  a  church  which  tolerates  within  its 
pale  what  they  regard  as  a  system  of  iniquity,  against 
which  the  intelligence,  the  reason,  the  humanity  and  the 
religion  of  all  enlightened  Christendom  cries  aloud. 

"What  now  is  to  be  done?  We  have  reached  a  crisis. 
Is  it  not  eminently  proper,  and  even  imperiously  necessary, 
that  a  consultation  be  held — that  the  anti-slavery  portion  of 
the  church,  through  their  Annual  Conferences,  should  agree 
upon  some  arrangement  to  confer  together  upon  some 
means  of  relieving  ourselves  of  a  great  reproach,  and  also 
the  best  means  of  securing  the  peace,  prosperity,  welfare 
and  unity  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  the  non- 
slave-holding  districts? 

"Dear  brethren :  Heretofore,  until  the  present  crisis,  we 
have  labored  to  prevent  disaffection  and  secessions,  and  to 
promote  the  unity  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  at 
large.  We  are  fully  convinced,  however,  that  any  further 
such  endeavor  is  labor  lost.  It  is  as  an  attempt  to  constrain 
'fellowship  between  righteousness  and  unrighteousness,'  a. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


155 


'communion  between  light  and  darkness.'  'Can  two  walk 
together  except  they  be  agreed?' 

"We  turn  with  better  hope  to  the  more  consistent  task 
of  seeking  the  unity  of  the  church  in  the  anti-slavery  por- 
tion of  the  connection.  Have  we  not  been  long  enough, 
and  sadly  enough,  scattered,  and  peeled,  and  wasted?  Is 
it  not  time  that  we  take  a  position  to  regain,  if  we  may, 
what  we  have  lost;  or,  at  least,  to  prevent  further  losses  from 
the  same  cause? 

"We  seek,  then,  the  consistent  unity  of  the  conferences 
and  churches  in  sympathy  with  these  views.  In  this  unity 
we  respectfully  recommend  and  ask  the  concurrence  of  your 
body.  [The  Annual  Conference.]  Let  your  representa- 
tives be  chosen  in  view  of  their  attendance  at  the  Conven- 
tion to  be  held  at  Cincinnati.  Let  them  come  there  bear- 
ing such  instructions  as  you  deem  best;  but  let  them  come 
authorized  by  you  to  confer  with  the  assembled  representa- 
tives from  other  Conferences,  upon  the  best  means  of  pro- 
moting the  welfare  and  unity  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  in  the  North  and  West." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


CONVENTION  AT  CINCINNATI,   1 857 — MEMORIAL  TO  GENERAL  CON- 
FERENCE— DISASTER  AT  SIXTH  STREET   CHURCH,  CINCINNATI. 

THE  spirit  and  promptness  with  which  the  Northern  and 
Western  Conferences  responded  to  the  call  for  the  Cin- 
cinnati Convention  of  November,  1857,  is  noteworthy.  A 
general  conviction  had  prevailed  that  there  was  ample  occa- 
sion for  this  measure.  It  was  known  that  such  a  measure 
only  could  save  from  fragmentary  dissolution  the  anti- 
slavery  part  of  the  church.  Remarkable  unanimity  pre- 
vailed. The  Convention  was  no  fanatical  assemblage.  Its 
members  came  up  with  no  spirit  of  strife,  as  though  ready 
to  do  some  reckless  or  unrighteous  thing.  They  came  im- 
pelled by  no  unchristian  motive  —  to  promote  no  unworthy 
object.  They  came  praying  for  wisdom  to  act  advisedly. 
A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  in  this  behalf,  had  just  been 
generally  observed  by  our  preachers  and  people. 

The  Convention  assembled  in  the  George  Street  Method- 
ist Protestant  Church,  Cincinnati,  November  nth,  1857. 
Forty  representative?  in  all,  from  fifteen  Annual  Conferences 
were  elected,  of  whom  twenty-five  were  in  attendance. 
Others  communicated  by  letter.  These  all  were  duly  con- 
stituted and  empowered  as  representatives  to  the  General 
Conference,  to  be  held  at  Lynchburg,  Virginia,  May  4th, 
1858,  but  were  instructed  first  thus  to  convene  in  advisory 
council  at  Cincinnati.  William  Collier  was  chosen  Presi- 
dent and  Joseph  J.  White  Secretary. 
156 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


157 


Some  six  committees  were  designated,  having  in  hand 
subjects  kindred  to  the  objects  of  the  Convention.  The 
chief  of  these  were,  the  question  as  to  our  duty  in  attending 
the  General  Conference ;  the  terms  of  memorial  to  be  ad- 
dressed to  that  body;  and  our  course  of  future  action,  upon 
learning  the  position  taken  by  the  General  Conference.  The 
afternoon  of  the  first  day  was  occupied  with  addresses  and 
a  religious  re  union,  which  proved  a  very  happy  season. 
The  body  continued  its  deliberations  in  great  harmony 
until  Monday,  1 6th.  The  following  action  was  taken,  re- 
ported by  J.  M.  Flood,  of  first  committee : 

"Whereas,  We  have  received  information,  satisfactory  to  our 
ninds,  that  entire  freedom  of  discussion  upon  the  subject  of  slavery 
can  not  be  enjoyed  in  Lynchburg,  Virginia  ;  and,  whereas,  we  do 
not  feel  under  obligation  to  meet  our  Southern  brethren  upon  any 
other  ground  than  upon  terms  of  entire  equality;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  I.  That  it  is  unnecessary  for  the  representatives  of 
Ihe  Northern  and  Western  Conferences  in  a  body  to  attend  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  Lynchburg,  with  a  view  to  secure  redress  of 
grievances,  of  which  we  complain,  and  under  which  we  suffer. 

"Resolved,  2.  That  nothing  herein  contained  shall  be  so  con- 
strued as  to  imply  any  censure  whatever  upon  any  representative  or 
representatives  who  may  see  proper  to  attend  said  General  Conference. 

"Resolved,  3.  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  this 
Convention,  to  present  to  the  General  Conference  the  Memorial 
adopted  by  this  body,  together  with  any  other  matters  recommended 
to  the  consideration  of  said  General  Conference." 

The  following  memorial  to  the  General  Conference,  in- 
troduced by  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  of  committee  on  that  subject, 
was  adopted : 

MEMORIAL. 

"The  Convention  of  representatives  of  Northern  and  Western 
Conferences,  assembled  in  Cincinnati,  in  the  fear  of  Almighty  God, 
set  forth  respectfully  to  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  the  following  declaration  and  memorial: 

"It  would  be  our  preference  and  our  earnest  desire  to  perpetuate 
our  union  with  the  General  Association,  in  which  we  have  heretofore 


158 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


felt  a  common  interest,  and  the  thought  of  a  severance  thereof  is 
truly  painful  to  us.  But  we  must,  in  Christian  frankness  state,  that 
there  are  grave  impediments  to  a  continuance  of  this  union  —  that 
it  involves  us,  in  our  respective  districts,  in  serious  embarrassments, 
some  of  which  we  will  briefly  state  below. 

"We  devoutly  respect  the  injunction  contained  in  one  of  the 
•elementary  principles  of  our  Constitution,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all 
ministers  and  members  of  the  church  to  maintain  godliness  and  op- 
pose all  moral  evil.  Now,  it  is  our  clear  conviction,  long  since  and 
repeatedly  expressed  by  all  our  Annual  Conferences,  that  the  traffic 
in  slaves,  and  the  voluntary  holding  of  slaves,  does  conflict  with  the 
rights  of  humanity  and  with  the  morality  of  the  holy  Scriptures. 
Hence,  we  regard  it  the  bounden  duty,  as  well  as  constitutional  right 
of  all  ministers  and  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
to  oppose  the  practices  alluded  to.  But  it  has  ever  been  a  source  of 
grief  and  mortification  to  us,  that  in  the  entire  Southern  section  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  slave-holding  and  slave-dealing 
are  continually  practised  without  rebuke.  We  have,  for  a  series  of 
years,  again  and  again,  in  our  respective  Annual  Conferences,  express- 
ed to  our  Southern  brethren  our  kind  remonstrance  against  the  con- 
tinuance of  these  practices,  entreating  them  to  put  away  forever  this 
sin,  and  relieve  us  of  a  humiliating  reproach.  But  our  expostula- 
tions have  ever  been  deemed  not  only  unacceptable,  but  highly 
offensive  to  our  slave-holding  brethren.  All  prospect  and  hope  of 
their  regarding  our  appeals  has  well-nigh  fled  ;  they  seem  more  and 
more  fixed  in  their  purpose  to  sustain  and  perpetuate  in  the  church 
what  we  are  constrained  to  deem  a  moral  wrong.  Hence,  we  are  in 
difficulty.  Hence,  our  cause  has  been  impeded  in  many  sections  of 
our  work.  On  account  of  this,  we  have  sustained  extensive  losses  in 
our  ministry  and  our  membership.  On  account  of  this  the  minds 
and  consciences  of  thousands  of  our  people  are  ill  at  ease,  and  they 
can  not  be  satisfied  to  continue  our  ecclesiastical  union  with  the 
slave-holding  section  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  unless 
the  offence  complained  of  be  removed.  We  are  threatened  with 
extensive  disruption  and  falling  off  from  our  ranks,  unless  we  are 
relieved  and  freed  from  what  many  deem  a  criminal  complicity  with 
a  declared  moral  evil  of  the  highest  grade. 

"  We  would  not  make  ourselves  further  offensive  to  our  Southern 
brethren,  by  reiterating  appeals  which  have  been  heretofore  deemed 
ungrateful,  if  not  insulting  to  their  feelings;  much  less  would  we 
:be  unreasonable,  to  make  demands  of  the  General  Conference  which 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


159 


it  is  out  of  the  power  of  that  body  to  grant.  But  we  will  here  state 
a  few  modifications  of  the  Constitution  and  Discipline,  which  we 
deem  indispensable  to  our  success  as  a  church,  in  the  districts  which 
we  represent : 

"  First.  The  word  "  white"  should  be  struck  from  the  Constitu- 
tion, Article  XII,  Sections  first  and  second,  as  establishing  an  in- 
vidious distinction,  not  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  the 
gospel  of  Him  who  made,  of  one  blood,  all  the  nations  of  men,  to 
dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth. 

"Second.  The  third  item  and  annexed  proviso,  embraced  in  the 
fourth  section  of  Article  VII,  should  be  struck  from  the  Constitu- 
tion, because  it  is  understood  and  used  to  protect  ministers  and 
members  of  the  church  in  the  practice  of  slave-holding  and  slave- 
dealing. 

"Third.  A  clause  should  be  inserted,  specifically  setting  forth 
that  the  practices  of  voluntary  slave-holding  and  of  slave-dealing 
will  be  henceforth  a  barrier  to  membership  in  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church. 

"  We  respectfully  suggest  that  the  General  Conference  express 
its  concurrence  in  such  an  alteration  in  the  eighth  and  ninth  Articles 
of  the  Constitution,  as  will  release  the  Annual  Conferences  from  all 
obligation  to  meet  in  one  General  Conference,  by  recommending  to 
the  several  Annual  Conferences  to  call  a  General  Conference,  to  be 
held  in  May,  1859,  and  confer  authority  thereon  to  make  the  requi- 
site alterations  in  the  Articles  above  specified. 

"  This  Convention  is  aware  that  the  General  Conference  has  not 
constitutional  authority  to  modify  the  Constitution,  but  upon  rec- 
ommendation of  two-thirds  of  the  Annual  Conferences.  But  Gen- 
eral Conferences  have  heretofore  deemed  it  within  their  prerogative 
to  adopt  recommendations  for  the  subsequent  action  of  the  Annual 
Conferences.  If,  therefore,  it  shall  be  the  pleasure  of  the  General 
Conference  of  1858,  during  its  session,  to  recommend  to  the  Annual 
Conferences  to  adopt  such  action  as  above,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
moving the  objections  and  difficulties,  from  which  we  so  seriously 
suffer,  and  without  the  removal  of  which  we  deem  it  impossible  for 
us  to  enjoy  success,  then  in  such  case  we  will  consent  to  await  the 
action  of  the  Annual  Conferences  thereupon.  But  if  this  General 
Conference  should  not  see  good  to  adopt  the  action  necessary  to  re- 
move our  difficulties,  we  can  not  conscientiously  consent  to  a  further 
continuance  of  our  ecclesiastical  connection. 

"  We  wish  to  inflict  no  unkind  reproaches  upon  our  Southern 


160 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


brethren.  Nor  would  we  assume  to  be  the  judge  of  our  neighbor. 
But  we  have  calmly  presented,  in  a  brief  manner,  the  embarrass- 
ments of  our  position  as  connected  with  the  slave-holding  portion 
of  the  church,  and  the  action  which  would  be  necessary  to  obviate 
our  difficulties. 

"Praying  that  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  may  enlighten  and 
influence  your  minds,  and  dispose  your  deliberations  to  the  advance- 
ment  of  his  glory,  we  remain, 

"Yours  sincerely,  etc., 

"William  Collier,  President." 

The  committee  to  advise  in  regard  to  future  action  re- 
ported, through  George  Clancy,  a  proposition  to  hold 
another  Convention,  to  assemble  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  on 
November  ioth,  1858,  representatives  thereto  to  be  elected 
at  the -first  coming  sessions  of  the  several  Annual  Confer- 
ences. The  report  was  adopted,  including  the  following 
provisions: 

"The  powers  and  objects  of  said  Convention  shall  be  to  hear  and 
to  take  such  action  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  in  relation  to  the 
response  the  General  Conference  may  make  to  the  Memorial,  and  to 
consult  upon  and  adopt  such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  to  per- 
petuate the  harmony  of  concurring  Conferences. 

"Said  Convention  shall  have  further  power,  in  case  the  General 
Conference  refuses  to  concur  in  the  alterations  and  amendments  set 
forth  in  the  Memorial,  to  make  the  specified  alterations,  and  to- 
authorize  the  publication  of  a  new  edition  of  the  Discipline,  con- 
taining said  amendments  and  alterations,  which  shall  be  received  by 
all  the  concurring  Conferences  as  their  authorized  edition  of  said 
Book  of  Discipline.  Provided,  however,  that  said  Convention  shall 
not  make  any  other  changes  in  either  the  Constitution  or  the  disci- 
plinary regulations  of  the  church  than  such  as  the  objectionable 
features  of  the  Constitution,  as  specified,  and  our  relation  to  the 
subject  of  slavery  make  necessary. 

'■'■And  provided,  further,  That  said  Convention  shall  have  full 
power,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  concurring 
Conferences,  to  act  upon,  regulate  and  control  all  the  interests  of 
the  Western  Methodist  Protestant  and  Book  Concern." 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


L61 


After  this  Convention,  and  the  promulgation  of  its  pro- 
ceedings, letters  were  received  from  leading  brethren,  in  all 
directions,  expressing  hearty  approval  of  the  course  taken. 
Brethren  who  were  members  and  participated,  refer  to  the 
occasion  with  the  highest  satisfaction.  William  Reeves,  of 
the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  said :  "The  Lord  was  with  us, 
of  a  truth.  Not  only  was  the  Sabbath  a  day  to  be  remem- 
bered, but  the  whole  session  was  seasoned  with  heavenly 
salt.  But  that  afternoon  of  the  first  day  was  a  holy,  blessed 
season.  Surely  the  hand  of  God  was  in  that  whole  move- 
ment.   We  felt  his  gracious  power  and  approving  presence." 

Joel  B.  Bass,  of  Iowa,  wrote:  "I  consider  the  time 
spent  in  attending  the  Convention  in  Cincinnati  the  best 
part  of  my  life.     It  was  a  love-feast  to  my  soul,  all  the  time." 

A  notable  incident  which  occurred  at  the  Sixth  Street 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Cincinnati,  in  February,  1858, 
should  here  be  recorded.  The  building  had  recently  been 
reconstructed  and  improved,  at  an  expense  of  about  four 
thousand  dollars.  The  pastor,  Joseph  J.  White,  was  con- 
ducting protracted  services  in  the  lecture-room.  On  Feb- 
ruary 14th,  the  main  audience  room  was  re-opened,  with  a 
sermon  by  William  Reeves  ;  his  wife,  the  lady  preacher, 
being  also  present,  and  taking  part  in  the  services.  It  was 
a  day  of  great  spiritual  power.  Revival  services  were  con- 
tinued, with  daily  conversions  and  accessions  to  the  church. 
On  Friday  evening,  the  19th,  at  about  seven  o'clock,  just  as 
the  evening  congregation  was  about  to  assemble,  and  a 
number  of  persons  having  already  entered  the  church,  a 
violent  explosion  occurred.  It  seems  that  escaping  gas 
must  have  tilled  the  space  between  the  earth  and  the  ground 
floor,  and  between  the  ceiling  of  the  basement  and  the  floor 
above.  This  explosive  became  ignited  in  the  process  of 
lighting  up.  The  concussion  was  so  violent,  that  almost  the 
entire  flooring,  seating,  ceiling,  and  windows  were  rent, 

and  shivered  to  kindling-wood.    The  shock  was  felt  and 
L 


1G2 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


heard  for  a  great  distance  through  the  city.  It  was  remark- 
able that  the  walls  and  roof  remained  firm.  It  was  provi- 
dential that  the  large  numbers  who  were  on  their  way, 
assembling  for  the  services,  and  who  would  have  been  in 
their  places  within  a  few  minutes,  were  not  caught  in  this 
fearful  wreck.  As  it  was,  a  Mrs.  Hook,  a  pious  member  of 
the  church,  was  the  only  individual  who  lost  her  life,  though 
several  others  were  injured.  The  pastor,  with  Daniel  Kin- 
ney, then  President  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  were  on  their 
way  to  attend  the  meeting.  They  had  just  arrived  at  the 
threshold,  when  the  dreadful  concussion  threw  them  pros- 
trate, Brother  White  upon  his  face,  far  into  the  middle  of 
the  street;  Brother  Kinney  upon  his  back,  in  like  manner, 
and  having  his  face  scarified  with  fragments  of  window 
glass,  and  his  left  eye  entirely  destroyed.  After  this  disas- 
ter, the  revival  services  were  continued  in  the  Seventh 
Street  Congregational  Church,  which  was  kindly  offered  for 
use,  during  the  repairs. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  AT  LYNCHBURG,  1858  —  THE  MEMORIAL 
DISREGARDED — MINNESOTA,  WEST  MICHIGAN  AND  NORTH  IOWA 
CONFERENCES. 

THE  seventh  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  convened  at  Lynchburg,  Va., 
May  4th,  1858.  Ninety-two  representatives  had  been 
elected,  from  thirty-one  Annual  Conferences,  North  and 
South.  But  forty  representatives  were  in  attendance,  from 
fourteen  Annual  Conferences.  Only  four  were  present 
from  Conferences  adhering  to  the  Northern  and  Western 
publishing  interest,  namely :  William  Collier  and  William 
Reeves,  of  Pittsburgh  Conference;  George  Clancy,  of 
Muskingum  Conference;  Joseph  J.  White,  of  Ohio  Con- 
ference. William  C.  Lipscomb  was  chosen  President,  and 
Joseph  J. 'White  Secretary. 

William  Collier  presented  the  Memorial  from  the  Con- 
vention at  Cincinnati,  of  which  he  was  the  President.  The 
paper  was  read,  and  referred  to  a  committee  of  five,  on 
memorials.  From  this  committee  came  three  distinct  re- 
ports; the  first  an  elaborate  one,  more  than  three  times  the 
length  of  the  memorial  ,  by  John  J.  Murray  and  George 
Vickers,  adverse  to  the  prayer  of  the  memorialists ;  the 
second,  by  B.  S.  Bibb  and  Z.  Kidwell,  simply  declaring,  in 
one  sentence,  that  the  General  Conference  has  no  consti- 
tutional authority  to  act  in  the  premises.  The  third  was 
presented  by  William  Collier,  showing  the  reasonableness 
and  necessity  of  the  demands  of  the  memorialists,  and 

163 


164 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


recommending  compliance  therewith.  The  first  and  third 
reports  were  laid  on  the  table.  The  second  report  was 
adopted.  After  this  entire  business  was  disposed  of,  on 
the  last  day  of  the  session,  a  paper  was  introduced  by 
Josiah  Varden,  and  passed,  professedly  as  a  conciliatory 
measure,  recommending  the  call  of  a  Convention,  under 
the  following  restrictions  :  The  several  Annual  Confer- 
ences represented  in  the  Cincinnnati  Convention,  in  sanc- 
tioning this  call,  shall  solemnly  pledge  themselves  that,  in 
legislating  in  regard  to  suffrage,  they  shall  leave  the  whole 
subject  to  the  Annual  Conferences,  which,  severally,  shall 
be  left  free  to  define  their  own  terms  of  suffrage,  the  Con- 
vention agreeing,  in  an  explicit  declaration,  that  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  shall  never  thereafter  legislate,  or  express 
an  opinion  on  questions  of  morality  affecting  membership  ; 
the  Conferences  making  the  call  solemnly  agreeing  to  abide 
by  the  decision  of  the  Convention.  Then  the  Convention 
might  provide  for  a  book  concern,  to  publish  only  our 
hymn-book,  Discipline  and  the  proceedings  of  the  General 
Conference.  This  was  to  be  the  limit  of  its  powers !  The 
subject  of  slavery  was  not  named  in  the  paper  adopted. 
The  word  "white"  was  of  course  to  remain  in  the  Consti- 
tution. This  so-called  peace  measure  was  regarded  by 
those  concerned  as  trifling  with  a  respectful  and  dispassionate 
appeal  from  a  deliberative  assembly,  representing,  it  was  be- 
lieved, not  less  than  half  the  Methodist  Protestant  connec- 
tion.   The  proposition  was  nowhere  entertained. 

The  Committee  on  Statistics,  in  this  Conference,  repre- 
sented that  no  complete  or  satisfactory  report  could  be 
made  out  for  publication.  By  action  of  the  Book  Concern 
Convention,  Eli  Y.  Reese  was  continued  as  editor  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant. 

The  editor  of  the  Western  Methodist  Protestant,  in  the 
issue  of  May  26th,  1858,  in  announcing  the  result  at  the 
General  Conference,  said: 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


165 


"Such,  then,  is  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  of  1858 — 
such  the  answer  to  our  petition.  It  is  not  granted.  Nothing  is 
gained,  but  that  we  have,  as  we  trust,  satisfied  all  minds  that  we 
have  done  our  duty,  putting  this  important  issue  to  the  ultimate 
test  with  our  Southern  brethren.  Our  memorial  itself  indicated 
our  course,  in  case  of  the  refusal  of  the  General  Conference,  and 
we  stand  by  the  record.  From  our  solemn  declaration  we  can  not 
recede.  Our  path  of  duty  is  plain.  We  falter  not.  We  have 
consulted  principle  and  conscience  and  duty.  It  is  enough.  We 
can  not  now  confer  with  flesh  and  blood.  We  stand  by  the 
memorial." 

The  four  brethren,  Collier,  White,  Clancy  and  Reeves, 
who  in  person  represented  the  claims  of  the  Cincinnati 
Convention  in  the  General  Conference,  after  their  return, 
each  made  a  report  through  the  Western  Methodist  Protestant. 
They  were  a  unit  in  their  views,  in  their  plea  before  the 
body,  and  in  the  conclusion,  in  behalf  of  their  constituents, 
that  now  having,  in  all  good  conscience,  and  in  Christian 
kindness,  discharged  their  duty  towards  the  General  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  finding 
their  petition  utterly  disregarded,  it  only  remains  that  they 
act  for  themselves,  and  do  for  themselves  what  the  General 
Conference  refused  to  do  for  them. 

The  Literary  Society,  at  its  annual  meeting,  June,  1858, 
in  unanimous  approval  of  the  same  views  of  the  situation, 
appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  circular,  to  be  addressed 
to  the  Annual  Conferences,  advising  harmonious  action  in 
electing  delegates  to  the  General  Convention,  to  be  held  at 
Springfield,  November  10th,  1858.  A  spirited  circular, 
prepared  by  Ambrose  H.  Trumbo,  was  accordingly  sent 
out  to  the  Conferences,  and  was  every-where  favorably  re- 
sponded to. 

On  June  17th,  1858,  a  noble  band  of  brethren  organized 
a  Conference  in  the  then  young  and  frontier  State  of  Min- 
nesota. This  took  place  at  Louthrie  school-house,  Fillmore 
County,  upon  the  call  of  Stephen  Jones,  who  has  since 


166 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


proved  himself,  these  many  years,  a  veteran  of  the  cause, 
through  ardent  toils  and  many  discouragements,  incident 
to  frontier  work.  At  the  first  session,  five  ministers  and 
four  lay  delegates  were  in  attendance.  James  P.  Long 
was  the  first  President.  L.  A.  Bliss  is  the  present  incum- 
bent, 1877. 

In  1857,  the  Boston  Conference  arranged  to  publish  a 
religious  paper,  as  a  necessary  measure,  owing  to  the  death 
of  Thomas  F.  Norris,  and  the  suspension  of  the  Olive 
Branch,  which  had  been  accustomed  to  devote  a  column  to 
the  church  interests.  The  new  paper  was  called  the  Olive 
Leaf,  and  was  conducted  by  James  M.  Mayall.  It  was 
issued  in  neat  quarto  form,  at  Lowell,  Mass.  It  was  com- 
menced in  January,  1858,  and  was  continued  for  four  or 
more  years. 

In  1858,  the  West  Michigan  Conference  was  set  off 
from  the  Michigan  Conference.  S.  F.  Hale  was  its  first 
President.  Both  the  bodies  have  since  been  greatly 
blessed  and  prospered.  In  the  division  of  the  Michigan 
Conference,  twenty-four  itinerants  were  embraced  in  each 
division. 

The  same  year,  the  North  Iowa  Conference  was  set  off 
from  the  Iowa  Conference.  Each  of  these  Conferences 
continued  in  regular  operation,  with  varied  success,  until 
1875,  when  it  was  deemed  best  to  reunite  the  two,  and  they 
again  became  one  body,  constituting  a  large  and  prosper- 
ous Conference. 

Here  will  follow  a  record  of  the  successive  General 
Conferences,  etc.,  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
(Southern  wing),  after  which  we  will  sketch  the  history  of 
the  various  assemblages  convened  during  the  same  period 
in  the  Northern  and  Western  branch  of  the  denomination. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  GEKERAL  CONFERENCE,  GEORGETOWN, 
1).  C,  1862 — ADJOURNED  SESSION,  1865 — EFFECTS  OF  THE 
WAR — GENERAL  CONFERENCE  AT  GEORGETOWN,  1866. 

THE  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  which  had  been  appointed  to  be  held  at 
Georgetown,  D.  C,  on  May  6th,  1862,  could  not  be  fully 
convened,  on  account  of  the  then  existing  civil  war.  The 
representatives  of  the  Maryland  Conference  only  assem- 
bled, on  said  day.  The  body  was  duly  organized.  Dr. 
Francis  Waters  was  elected  President,  and  Daniel  E.  Reese 
Secretary.  A  resolution  was  adopted,  that  when  the  Con- 
ference adjourns,  it  be  to  meet  again  at  the  call  of  the  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary. 

Upon  such  call,  accordingly,  an  adjourned  session  of 
the  General  Conference  was  convened,  at  the  same  city 
of  Georgetown,  on  May  9th.  1866.  But  the  desolations  of 
the  four  years'  war,  which  had  just  closed,  and  especially 
the  railway  obstructions,  precluded  the  attendance  of  the  dis- 
tant representatives.  As  no  pamphlet  publication  of  the 
proceedings  was  issued,  Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Bates,  of  Balti- 
more, has  kindly  furnished  the  author,  at  his  request,  the 
material  for  the  following  outline  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
adjourned  session  : 

The  session  was  composed  of  the  Maryland  representa- 
tives and  Orestes  Ames,  of  Illinois.  Those  present  from 
Maryland  were  Dr.  Francis  Waters,  Dr.  J.  Sim,  Daniel  E. 
Reese,  J.  W.  Everist,  J.  K.  Nichols,  Lawrence  W.  Bates, 

167 


1GS 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


John  J.  Murray,  George  Vickers,  J.  B.  Matthews  and  Jo- 
seph Libby.  Two  members  of  the  Maryland  representation 
had  died,  during  the  interval,  namely,  Washington  Roby 
and  J.  B.  Thomas.  The  credentials  of  David  Clark  and 
B.  F.  Perry,  of  Wabash,  were  so  informal  that  they  could 
not  be  admitted  to  seats  but  as  honorary  members.  There 
being  no  law  for  representatives  from  a  Mission  Conference, 
Adonijah  Parrish  was  received  as  a  messenger  from  the 
Des  Moines  Mission.  Cornelius  Springer,  of  Muskingum, 
was  also  accorded  honorary  membership. 

A  committee  of  three  was  ordered  to  revise  the  Ritual, 
Dr.  Waters,  Chairman,  to  report  at  next  General  Confer- 
ence. 

The  Conference,  in  a  body,  paid  a  visit  to  President 
Andrew  Johnson,  at  the  White  House.  The  venerable 
President  of  the  Conference,  Dr.  Waters,  presented  the 
greetings  of  the  body.  President  Johnson  responded  in 
expressions  of  high  appreciation  of  the  prayers  and  support 
of  good  men. 

Upon  the  resumption  of  business  at  the  conference 
room,  Dr.  Sim  addressed  the  Conference  in  a  handsome 
manner,  expressing  his  own  convictions  of  duty,  at  this 
critical  period ;  that  he  could  not  omit  to  offer  resolutions 
that  would  inform  the  public  mind  of  the  relation  of  this 
church  to  the  Government.  The  resolutions,  which  can 
not  now  be  obtained  for  insertion,  called  for  considerable 
debate. 

General  George  Vickers  offered  a  substitute.  Those 
who  favored  the  substitute  expressed  themselves  as  indors- 
ing the  sentiments  expressed  in  Dr.  Sim's  resolutions,  but 
they  thought  the  substitute  was  a  better  expression  for  a 
Christian  church  to  give  upon  the  subject.  The  Doctor's 
resolutions  were  therefore  negatived,  and  the  substitute 
adopted,  by  a  large  majority,  as  follows: 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


169 


"Whereas,  Article  XXIII  of  the  Articles  of  Religion  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  declares  that  'the  President,  the  Con- 
gress, the  General  Assemblies,  the  Governors,  the  Councils  of 
State,  as  the  delegates  of  the  people,  are  the  rulers  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  according  to  the  division  of  power  made  to  them 
by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  by  the  Constitutions 
of  their  respective  States,  and  the  said  States  are  a  sovereign  and 
independent  nation,  and  ought  not  to  be  subject  to  any  foreign 
jurisdiction  ; '  and, 

"Whereas,  Article  V  declares  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  con- 
tain all  things  necessary  for  salvation  ;  and, 

"Whereas,  The  Methodist  Protestant  Church  has  never  re- 
pealed these  articles  of  religion,  and  has  never  entertained  the  pur- 
pose of  doing  so,  or  of  denying  any  duty  enjoined  upon  it  by  the 
Scriptures,  we  deem  it  unnecessary  to  make  any  further  declaration 
of  our  principles;  but  in  view  of  the  condition  of  the  country  at 
this  time,  and  our  duty  at  all  times,  exhort  the  ministers  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  not  only  to  submit  to  the 
powers  that  be,  but  most  earnestly  pray  for  those  in  authority,  that 
they  may  be  ministers  of  good,  and  that  every  and  all  our  fellow- 
citizens  may  be  enabled  to  live  quiet  and  peaceable  lives,  in  all 
godliness  and  honesty." 

Resolutions  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  Brothers  Roby 
and  Thomas  were  passed,  and  ordered  to  be  furnished  to 
the  respective  families  of  the  deceased.  Georgetown  was 
selected  for  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  next  General  Con- 
ference. Adjourned,  with  the  benediction  by  President 
Waters. 


The  desolations  of  the  war  of  1861-65,  which  swept  over 
the  Southern  States,  very  seriously  affected  the  churches 
and  Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in 
that  quarter.  Many  houses  of  worship  were  injured  or 
destroyed,  and  not  a  few  organizations  were  broken  up. 
Indeed,  it  is  marvellous  that  after  the  return  of  peace,  so 
many  Conferences  and  churches  were  found  to  have  re- 


170 


A  CONCISE   HISTORY  OF  THE 


tained  their  status,  and  to  so  considerable  extent  held 
their  own. 


The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  was  duly  convened  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  on  May 
i st,  1866.  Wm.  H.  Wills,  of  North  Carolina,  was  elected 
President,  and  J.  K.  Nichols,  of  Maryland,  Secretary. 
Fifty-one  representatives  were  enrolled,  from  the  Maryland, 
Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Alabama  and  Illinois  Confer- 
ences, but  the  number  in  actual  attendance  is  not  indicated 
in  the  published  journal. 

Among  the  acts  of  this  General  Conference  are  the  fol- 
lowing :  The  ordinance  of  Baptism  was  ordered  to  be 
inserted  in  the  category  of  the  Means  of  Grace,  in  the  next 
edition  of  the  Discipline.  "The  Quarterly  Conference 
shall,  when  required  in  any  given  case  by  the  Annual  Con- 
ference, send  up  to  that  body  its  journal  for  examination." 
"No  person  shall  be  elected  to  full  membership  who  has 
not  been  baptized,  or  who  refuses  to  receive  the  ordinance 
of  baptism."  The  following,  offered  by  John  J.  Murray, 
was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  while  the  General  Conference  can  not  approve 
the  course  pursued  by  certain  Conferences  in  the  North  and  West, 
in  separating  themselves  from  us,  and  while  we  disavow  responsi- 
bility for  anything  done  by  said  Conferences,  individually  or  in 
convention,  we  also  disclaim  any  unkind  feeling  for  those  who 
have  gone  from  us,  and  will  most  cordially  receive  any  Conference 
that  shall  hereafter  evince  a  desire  for  reunion,  by  conformity  to  the 
Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church." 

The  General  Conference  was  visited  and  addressed  by 
Dr.  Deems,  a  fraternal  representative  from  the  General 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
which  had  just  held  its  session  at  New  Orleans,  and  com- 
municating the  favorable  action  of  that  body,  regarding  lay 
representation,  admitting  the  principle,   and  leaving  the 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


171 


question  of  its  adoption  to  the  arbitrament  of  the  Annual 
Conferences.  Upon  report  of  a  committee,  the  Conference 
expressed  its  high  gratification  with  this  act  of  fraternal 
courtesy,  and  a  desire  to  cultivate  love  and  co-operation 
with  the  adherents  of  a  common  Savior,  and  a  common 
Methodism.  Fraternal  messengers  were  appointed  to  the 
next  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South.  It  was  determined  to  recommend  the  call 
of  a  General  Convention,  to  meet  at  Montgomery,  Ala., 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May,  1867. 

The  Convention  on  the  Periodical  and  Book  Concern, 
held  during  the  session  of  the  General  Conference,  passed 
a  vote  of  thanks  to  brethren  who  had  rendered  editorial 
service,  without  compensation,  for  several  years,  since  the 
death  of  the  lamented  editor  Reese.  J.  T.  Murray,  who 
had  been  serving  as  editor  in  chief,  was  elected  to  be  con- 
tinued as  Editor;  and  Thomas  W.  Ewing,  as  Book  Agent. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  GENERAL  CONVENTION  AT  MONTGOMERY, 
ALA.,   1867 — NEGOTIATIONS  FOR  UNION. 

THE  Convention  called  by  action  of  the  Annual  Con- 
ferences of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  assem- 
bled at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  on  May  7th,  1867.  John  J. 
Murray,  of  Maryland,  was  elected  President,  and  C.  W. 
Button  and  F.  M.  W.  Henderson  Secretaries.  Seventy-one 
representatives  had  been  elected  to  this  Convention,  from 
thirteen  Annual  Conferences.  The  number  in  attendance 
was  forty-one,  from  eight  Annual  Conferences.  Bishops 
Pierce  and  McTyeire,  and  Dr.  Evans  and  Pee,  commis- 
sioners of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  were 
introduced  to  the  Convention,  and  each  addressed  the 
body  in  words  of  fraternal  kindness  upon  the  subject  of  a 
union  of  the  two  churches.  They  were  responded  to,  in 
a  reciprocal  spirit,  by  the  President  and  other  members  of 
the  Convention.  A  cordial  greeting  was  extended,  by  res- 
olution, to  this  honored  deputation,  and  one  ministerial  and 
one  lay  commissioner,  from  each  Annual  Conference  repre- 
sented, was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  commission  of 
the  other  church.  Correspondence  was  had,  and  proposi- 
tions exchanged  between  the  two  parties  during  the  session 
of  the  Convention,  and  the  consideration  of  papers  and 
reports  upon  the  subject  occupied  the  attention  of  the  body, 
from  day  to  day,  for  about  a  week. 

The  propositions  of  the  Commission  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  made  to  the  Commission  of  the  Meth- 
172 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


173 


odist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  as  terms  of  union,  were  as 
follows  : 

PROPOSITIONS. 

1.  Strike  out  of  the  church  name  the  word  "South." 

2.  If  "Episcopal"  be  retained  in  the  name,  "Protestant"  to 
be  incorporated. 

3.  Dispense  with  the  Presiding  Eldership. 

4.  Have  as  many  Bishops  as  Annual  Conferences. 

5.  In  the  election  of  new  Bishops,  what  are  now  our  Annual 
Conferences  shall  have  the  privilege  of  nominating  from  their  pres- 
ent members  their  first  Bishops,  and  the  General  Conference  shall 
elect  said  nominees. 

6.  Itinerant  ministers  to  have  the  right  of  appeal  from  the  sta- 
tioning power. 

7.  Maryland  Conference,  in  the  event  of  union,  to  be  allowed 
to  decide  upon  its  own  name,  ministerial  membership  and  bounda- 
ries ;  provided,  said  boundaries  be  not  extended  farther  south  than 
the  States  of  Maryland,  Delaware  and  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  the  station  in  Alexandria. 

8.  Our  system  of  trial  of  accused  ministers  or  members,  or  its 
equivalent. 

9.  No  minister  to  be  transferred  from  one  Conference  to  an- 
other without  his  own  consent,  and  the  consent  of  the  Conference 
to  which  he  is  to  be  transferred. 

10.  Local  preachers  and  ministers  to  be  put  upon  a  par  with 
itinerant  preachers  and  ministers  in  regard  to  qualifications  for,  and 
eligibility  to,  orders. 

11.  Local  ministers  to  be  alike  eligible  with  itinerant  ministers 
to  a  seat  in  the  General  Conference. 

12.  Each  station,  circuit  and  mission  to  be  allowed  one  dele- 
gate in  the  Annual  Conference  ;  in  the  former  to  be  elected  by  the 
male  members,  in  the  two  latter  by  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

13.  No  veto  power  to  be  conceded  to  the  Bishops. 

14.  Incorporate  in  the  Discipline  the  following  (Article  VIII, 
Section  5):  "The  ministry  and  laymen  shall  deliberate  in  one 
body;  but  if,  upon  the  final  passage  of  any  question,  it  be  required 
by  three  members,  the  ministers  and  laymen  shall  vote  separately, 
and  the  concurrence  of  a  majority  of  both  classes  of  representa- 
tives shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a  vote  of  the  Conference." 
A  similar  regulation  shall  be  observed  in  the  Annual  Conferences. 


174 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


15.  In  the  Annual  Conference  the  laity  shall  have  the  right  to 
participate  in  all  the  business  except  such  as  relates  to  the  trial  of 
ministers  and  preachers. 

RESPONSE  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  OF  THE  METHODIST  EPIS- 
COPAL CHURCH,  SOUTH. 

Brethren  :  We  have  considered  carefully  the  propositions 
presented  by  you  last  night,  and  reply  to  them,  in  order,  as  fol- 
lows : 

1.  The  late  General  Conference,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  recom- 
mended a  change  in  the  name  and  style  of  our  church,  that  left  off 
the  word  "South,"  in  deference  to  those  who  were  embarrassed  by 
it,  and  because  circumstances  had,  to  a  considerable  extent,  caused 
its  history  and  significance  to  be  lost  sight  of.  The  motion  of  the 
General  Conference  was  submitted  to  the  Annual  Conferences, 
which  gave  an  aggregate  of  1,168  votes  in  favor  of  concurrence, 
and  409  against,  lacking  but  little  of  the  three-fourths  vote  upon 
which  its  passage  was  conditioned. 

2.  There  would  result  inconvenience  and  inharmony  of  title 
from  this,  and,  also,  incongruity,  for  lay  representation  having  been 
conceded,  the  denial  of  which  was  the  principal  ground  of  your 
original  protest,  there  remains  nothing  against  which  to  protest,  in- 
asmuch as  you  accept  Episcopacy. 

3.  The  number  of  Bishops  which  our  policy  at  present  main- 
tains and  lias  maintained,  makes  the  Presiding  Eldership  indispen- 
sable for  the  care  of  all  the  churches  and  a  thorough  and  effective 
•oversight  of  the  whole  work.  We  add,  this  is  a  question  for  legis- 
lation, and  the  General  Conference,  as  now  constituted,  will  doubt- 
less represent  the  sense  of  the  ministry  and  laity  on  the  subject. 

4.  The  church  as  a  whole  has  not  favored  this  policy.  Many 
wise  and  influential  ministers  and  laymen  among  us  do.  At  the 
late  General  Conference,  the  number  of  effective  Bishops  was  in- 
creased by  more  than  a  hundred  per  cent.,  and  not  a  few  advocate 
the  view  you  present.  The  tendency  is,  we  believe,  to  the  increase 
of  Bishops. 

5.  We  have  no  power  to  make  such  a  stipulation.  We  doubt 
not  that,  in  a  General  Conference  of  the  united  church,  a  fair  and 
even  liberal  course  would  be  pursued.  More,  perhaps,  would  be 
gained,  in  this  respect,  by  confidence  than  by  contract. 

6.  Upon  this  point  our  church  is  decided.  Our  executive  sys- 
tem could  not  admit  the  proposed  modification.    It  would,  as  we 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


173 


believe,  embarrass  the  itinerancy,  and  deprive  it  of  that  prompt- 
ness and  efficiency  requisite  to  meet  the  moral  demands  of  our 
times  and  country.  The  proposed  appeal  of  the  itinerant  minister, 
from  the  appointing  power,  if  he  does  not  like  the  charge  to  which 
he  is  sent,  would  seem  unequal,  unless  the  same  right  be  given  to 
the  people,  if  they  did  not  like  the  preacher  sent  to  them,  and  this 
would  destroy  the  itinerancy. 

7.  This  can  best  be  settled  by  the  parties  at  interest.  The  Gen- 
eral Conference  has  granted  to  the  Baltimore  and  Virginia  Con- 
ferences a  discretionary  power  which  may  be  used  for  the  settlement. 

8.  No  difficulty  here.  As  we  understand  the  system  of  the  two 
churches,  there  is  no  substantial  difference. 

9.  While  our  church  has  not  found  it  expedient  to  restrict  the 
Episcopal  prerogative,  at  this  point,  by  formal  legislation,  the 
usage  is,  and  has  been,  not  to  transfer  a  minister  from  one  Confer- 
ence to  another  without  his  consent.  As  it  respects  the  Confer- 
ence, experience  satisfies  us  that  a  large  discretion  must  be  allowed 
on  this  subject,  in  order  to  carry  out  the  objects  of  an  itinerant 
General  Superintendency,  and  to  meet  the  wants  of  a  varied  and 
extensive  field. 

10.  We  have  no  authority  to  meet  this  condition  ;  but  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  we  approve  it  as  a  measure,  and  that  the  ten- 
dencies of  the  church  are  in  this  direction. 

11.  The  principle  of  their  eligibility  is  recognized  in  our  ex- 
isting law,  and  provision  made  whereby  a  fair  proportion  of  repre- 
sentatives may  be  secured.  Any  further  extension  of  this  provision 
may  be  safely  left  to  the  future  legislation  of  the  General  Conference. 

12.  In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  so  far  as  it  applies  to  this 
case,  we  submit  that,  in  our  church — and  more,  if  the  proposed 
union  take  place — the  stations,  circuits  and  missions  would  be  so 
.numerous  as  to  render  the  Annual  Conferences,  which  are  execu- 
tive bodies,  cumbrous  and  unwieldy  for  business  and  of  inconve- 
nient size  for  accommodation. 

13.  This  matter  is  beyond  our  control.  Whether  the  power 
exists  in  the  Episcopacy,  or  shall  be  conceded  or  limited,  is  a 
mooted  question,  and  rests  with  the  church. 

14.  This  provision,  touching  the  General  Conference,  is  in  our 
law,  save  that  it  requires  one-fifth  of  the  members  for  a  separation 
of  the  vote.  Its  application  to  the  Annual  Conference  would,  in 
our  opinion,  for  various  reasons,  be  embarrassing,  without  any  com- 
pensating advantage. 


176 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


15.  This  may,  with  propriety  and  safety,  be  left  to  a  General 
Conference  composed  equally  of  ministers  and  laymen. 

A  paper  was  finally  adopted,  expressing  the  sentiment 
that  the  proposed  union  is  highly  desirable,  both  for  the 
interest  of  Methodism  and  of  our  common  Christianity,  if 
it  could  be  effected  upon  terms  mutually  agreeable,  but  as 
it  was  believed  that  no  decision  could  be  reached  by  this 
body,  at  its  present  session,  that  would  insure  harmony,  it 
was  decided  to  take  no  decisive  action  at  this  time;  but 
that  the  whole  subject  be  held  in  abeyance,  and  under  ad- 
visement, awaiting  the  development  and  indications  of 
Providence.  Eleven  members  recorded  their  dissent  from 
this  action. 

A  Board  of  Missions  was  constituted,  consisting  of 
twelve,  S.  B.  Southerland,  Chairman,  located  at  Baltimore. 

The  Convention  made  free  work  with  the  Constitution 
of  the  church,  adopting  amendments  to  all  the  Articles  but 
two,  namely,  the  thirteenth  and  sixteenth.  The  fifth  arti- 
cle, concerning  leaders'  meetings,  was  struck  out,  and  a 
new  article,  constituting  monthly  meetings,  substituted.  A 
list  of  the  amendments  was,  some  time  ago,  published  by 
Lawrence  W.  Bates  in  the  Methodist  Protestant.  They  were 
all  embodied  in  the  later  editions  of  the  Discipline  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  EAST  BALTIMORE, 
1S7O — DISMEMBERMENT  OK  THE  VIRGINIA  CONFERENCE — GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE  AT  LYNCHBURG,  1874. 

THE  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  assembled  at  East  Baltimore  Station,  May 
6th,  1S70.  John  G.  Whitfield  was  elected  President,  and 
G.  J.  Cherry  and  J.  T.  Murray  Secretaries.  The  list  of 
representatives  embraces  eighty  names,  from  sixteen  An- 
nual Conferences,  but  the  journal  as  published  does  not  in- 
dicate what  number  were  in  attendance. 

Drs.  Eddy  and  Lanahan  visited  the  Conference  as 
Commissioners  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
George  Brown,  William  Collier  and  Alexander  Clark  as 
fraternal  messengers  from  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  of  the 
Northern  branch  of  the  denomination,  known  as  the  Meth- 
dist  Church,  who  severally  expressed  sentiments  promotive 
of  fraternal  regard  and  Christian  co-operation,  all  of  which 
was  duly  reciprocated  by  remarks  from  the  President,  in 
behalf  of  the  Conference.  An  excellent  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Methodistic  Union  was  adopted,  and  fraternal 
messengers  were  appointed  to  attend  the  ensuing  General 
Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  At  a  later  day,  Messrs.  Linn, 
Huston  and  Kepler  were  introduced  as  fraternal  messengers 
from  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  and  expressed  their  brotherly  salutations, 
which  were  duly  acknowledged  by  the  President.  Reso- 
M  *77 


178 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


lutions  of  reciprocity  were  adopted,  and  the  sister  church 
was  congratulated  upon  the  successful  introduction  of  the 
lay  element  in  her  highest  legislative  department.  The 
President  was  authorized  to  appoint  fraternal  messengers  to 
the  next  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South.  Much  attention  was  paid  to  a  revision  of 
the  Ritual,  and  various  modifications  of  the  ceremonials 
were  adopted,  to  be  embraced  in  the  Discipline,  withal,  the 
following  entry  :  "This  church  disapproves  of  rebaptisms." 

The  Western  Maryland  College,  located  at  Westminster, 
Md. ,  which  was  incorporated  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
Maryland  in  1868,  was  favorably  reported  upon  by  its 
agent,  P.  L.  Wilson,  and  Prof.  J.  W.  Hering.  The  insti- 
tution was  commended  to  the  confidence  and  support  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

The  report  of  the  Directory  of  the  Book  Concern,  made 
to  the  Convention,  held  during  the  session  of  the  General 
Conference,  presented  the  value  of  the  assets  of  the  con- 
cern, over  liabilities,  at  $7,130.76,  and  a  net  profit  in  the 
four  years  past  of  $2,036.06.  The  current  income,  how- 
ever, had  not  justified  the  employment  of  paid  editorial 
service  for  but  part  of  the  time.  It  was  resolved  that  the 
Book  Directory  continue  the  existing  arrangements,  if 
practicable,  for  the  management  of  the  paper,  until  its  re- 
ceipts shall  seem  to  justify  the  employment  of  a  salaried 
editor. 

The  following  brief  account  of  the  dismemberment  of 
the  Virginia  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
is  kindly  furnished  by  Dr.  L.  W.  Bates : 

"  The  first  session  of  this  Conference  was  held  at  Norfolk,  Va., 
commencing  November  3d,  1870.  Rev.  J.  G.  Whitfield  was  elected 
President. 

"W.  A.  Croker  moved  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  con- 
sider the  proposition  for  a  corporate  union  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.    This  was  carried,  and  the  committee 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


179 


appointed,  consisting  of  W.  A.  Croker,  F.  A.  Davis  and  H.  B. 
YVoodhouse.  This  committee  reported  in  favor  of  the  proposed 
union. 

"The  President  held  that  the  wishes  of  the  people  on  the  sub- 
ject should  be  first  ascertained.  The  Conference  of  1S69  had  re- 
ferred the  question  to  the  Quarterly  Conferences,  and  had  refused 
to  refer  it  to  the  people.  The  vote  of  the  Quarterly  Conferences 
had  given  a  majority  of  one  against  it.  In  taking  the  vote  upon  the 
proposition  to  unite  with  the  Virginia  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  the  result  was,  yeas  14,  nays  12. 

"Rev.  J.  Clift,  in  behalf  of  the  minority,  protested  against  the 
action.  The  majority  being  for  the  union,  they  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  carry  the  measure  into  immediate  effect,  and  then  ad- 
journed the  Conference,  sine  die.  The  minority  protested,  and 
continued  the  session,  electing  L.  F.  Crosby  President. 

"Five  of  the  ministerial  members,  namely,  William  McGee,  W. 
A.  Croker,  F.  A.  Davis,  J.  M.  McClelland  and  T.  C.  Jennings, 
went  over  to  the  Church,  South.  Some  few  of  the  churches  also 
withdrew,  the  property  of  which  is  now  in  litigation.  Subse- 
quently, a  portion  of  the  territory  was  attached  to  the  Maryland 
and  North  Carolina  Conferences,  and  the  remainder  united  with  the 
Holston  Conference,  under  the  name  of  the  Virginia  Conference." 

Yet  it  seems  that  the  Virginia  Conference,  surviving  all 
tribulation,  has  retained  its  status,  holding  uninterruptedly 
its  annual  sessions.  At  the  General  Convention  of  1877, 
it  was  represented  by  the  veteran,  Dr.  George  R.  Barr, 
and  a  lay  colleague,  reporting  a  membership  of  three  thou- 
sand three  hundred. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  assembled  at  Lynchburg,  Va.,  May  1st,  1874. 
Lawrence  W.  Bates  was  elected  President,  and  A.  C.  Har- 
ris and  J.  B.  Watson  Secretaries.  A  list  of  ninety-four 
representatives  was  published,  from  eighteen  Annual  Con- 
ferences, but  the  published  proceedings  do  not  show  what 
number  were  in  attendance. 

This  Conference  adopted  resolutions,  indorsing  the 
Western  Maryland  College  as  "the  pride  of  our  church,  ia 


ISO 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


an  educational  point  of  view,  deserving  the  high  commen- 
dation of  all  the  Conferences  for  its  rapid  growth,  present 
success,  and  its  prospects  for  the  future."  Action  was 
taken  by  the  Conference,  abolishing  the  order  of  deacon, 
by  a  vote  of  35  yeas  to  16  nays.  Dr.  Kenney,  fraternal 
messenger  from  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  was  introduced,  and  addressed  the  Con- 
ference in  very  kindly  and  pathetic  strains.  Alexander 
Clark  and  James  Robison,  of  the  Methodist  Church,  one 
the  editor,  the  other  the  publisher  of  the  Methodist  Recorder, 
also  made  fraternal  addresses.  Each  deputation  was  appro- 
priately responded  to  by  the  President,  and  resolutions  were 
adopted,  appreciative  of  their  visits  and  their  messages. 

Upon  recommendation  of  a  committee,  of  which  John 
Paris  was  chairman,  the  following  resolution  was  passed, 
with  great  unanimity  : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  nine  persons  be  appointed  by 
this  General  Conference,  to  confer  with  any  like  commission  from 
any  Methodist  body  in  America,  who  may  signify  a  desire  to  confer 
with  them  upon  the  subject  of  union  with  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  and  especially  with  a  committee  of  nine,  to  be  appointed 
by  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church,  which  has 
made  overtures  to  us  for  a  reunion  :  believing  it  to  be  the  desire  of 
a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  Methodist  Church  to  effect  a 
union  of  the  Methodist  and  Methodist  Protestant  Churches,  upon 
terms  which  shall  be  alike  agreeable  and  honorable  to  each." 

A  statistical  report  made  to  this  Conference  gives  a 
membership  of  forty-nine  thousand  three  hundred  and 
nineteen,  but  without  including  some  half-dozen  Confer- 
ences from  which  no  report  was  received.  Fraternal  mes- 
sengers were  appointed  to  attend  the  next  General  Confer- 
ences of  the  Methodist,  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  The  General  Con- 
ference commended  the  Morning  Guide,  published  at  Pitts- 
burgh, for  the  use  of  Sabbath-schools. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


1S1 


The  report  of  the  Book  Directory,  made  to  the  Conven- 
tion, held  during  the  session  of  the  Conference,  showed  that 
a  net  loss  had  occurred,  within  the  last  four  years,  of  over 
three  thousand  dollars.  And  this,  notwithstanding  the 
utmost  economy  had  been  used  in  conducting  the  busi- 
ness, especially  the  church  paper,  which,  through  the  mag' 
nanimity  of  several  able  and  devoted  brethren,  had,  during 
most  of  the  time,  been  conducted  with  uncompensated 
editorial  service.  Thomas  W.  Ewing,  who  had  served  the 
Book  Concern  for  near  a  third  of  a  century,  and  who  had 
for  several  years  voluntarily  yielded  part  of  his  salary,  now 
retires  from  the  business,  with  the  regrets  of  all  concerned. 
Dr.  E.  J.  Drinkhouse  was  elected  editor  of  die  Methodist 
Protestant,  and  he  is  also  to  manage  all  the  business  pertain- 
ing thereto.  And  it  was  ordered,  in  reference  to  the  Book 
Concern,  that  the  services  of  some  one  be  secured  who  is 
established  in  business  in  the  book  trade,  and  who  will  fur- 
nish office  room  for  the  periodical  and  Book  Concern, 
light  and  fuel,  at  a  consideration  to  be  agreed  upon.  The 
arrangement  was  made  with  \V.  J.  C.  Delaney,  the  present 
incumbent. 


Now  will  follow  a  record  of  the  several  'Conventions 
and  General  Conferences  of  the  Northern  and  Western 
branch  of  the  denomination. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


CONVENTION   OF  1858,  SPRINGFIELD,   OHIO — THE  ACT   OF  SUSPEN- 
SION— AN  ANALOGOUS  CASE. 

WITH  remarkable  unanimity  and  promptness,  nine- 
teen Annual  Conferences  elected  delegates  to  the 
Convention  to  be  held  at  Springfield,  November  ioth,  1858. 
All  the  Annual  Conferences  in  the  non-slave-holding  States 
were  embraced,  save  two  small,  remote  conferences,  Maine 
and  Oregon,  which  were  not  heard  from.  All  seemed  in- 
spired with  a  devout  impulse  to  meet  a  crisis  and  exigency, 
not  less  important  than  the  occasion  which  convened  the 
early  Reformers  thirty  years  before,  to  arrange  plans  for  our 
new  church  organization.  Forty-four  delegates  were  now 
present.  George  Brown  was  chosen  President,  and  William 
H.  Miller  and  Reuben  Rose  Secretaries. 

The  Convention  confined  itself  to  the  appropriate  work 
indicated  in  the  Cincinnati  Memorial,  and  the  necessary 
attention  to  the  publishing  interests.  The  proposition  (in 
case  the  General  Conference  should  do  nothing  towards 
meeting  the  exigency)  to  suspend  co-operation  and  official 
fellowship  with  Conferences  and  churches  in  which  slave- 
holding  is  practiced  or  tolerated,  until  the  evil  complained 
of  be  removed,  had  been  deliberately  considered,  for  a 
year.  The  members  of  the  Convention,  believing  that  the 
church  was  now  ready  for  this  action,  that  a  vast  majority 
of  their  constituents  expected  and  demanded  it,  exhibited 
no  faltering  in  discharging  what  they  deemed  their  duty. 
Upon  report  of  Committee  on  Church  Relations,  George 
182 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


1S3 


Clancy,  Chairman,  the  vote  was  taken,  by  ayes  and  nays, 
and  was  carried  almost  unanimously,  the  delegates  from  one 
Conference  only  (Illinois)  having,  under  their  instructions, 
asked  to  have  final  action  deferred  for  one  year. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  word  "white"  be  struck  from  the 
Constitution,  Article  XII,  sections  i  and  2.  Also,  that  the 
third  item  and  the  annexed  proviso,  embraced  in  the  4th 
section  of  Article  VII,  be  struck  out.  A  new  edition  of 
the  Discipline  was  authorized  to  be  issued  from  the  press  at 
Springfield,  in  which  should  be  inserted,  after  the  General 
Rules  of  the  YYesleys,  a  declaration,  in  the  language  of  Asa 
Shinn,  to  the  effect  that  "the  buying  or  selling  of  men, 
women  or  children,  or  holding  them  in  slavery,  as  they  are 
held  in  these  United  States,  is  inconsistent  with  the  morality 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures."  A  new  Historical  Preface,  pre- 
pared by  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  adapted  to  the  recent  facts  and 
present  status,  was  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  inserted. 

In  justification  of  this  conventional  action,  not  only  was 
the  necessity  of  the  case  claimed,  but  constitutional  pro- 
vision. Article  VII,  Section  4,  directly  empowers  each 
Annual  Conference  "to  make  such  special  rules  and  regu- 
lations as  the  peculiarities  of  the  District  may  require,  pro- 
vided no  rule  or  regulation  be  made  inconsistent  with  the 
Constitution."  Now  the  "peculiarities"  here  supposed 
have  reference  to  naught  else  but  slavery,  and  the  state  of 
things  which  the  subject  of  slavery  may  excite  or  produce 
in  any  District.  Of  course,  each  Conference  may  judge 
of  its  own  circumstances  and  its  own  wants,  and  is  empow- 
ered to  make  such  rules  and  regulations  as  will  meet  its 
necessities,  if  not  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution.  Now, 
it  was  claimed  as  evident  that  the  necessities,  not  of  one 
District,  but  of  about  twenty  Districts,  a  majority  of  the 
Districts  in  the  entire  connection,  required  the  changes 
proposed  to  be  made  by  order  of  this  Convention. 

A  case  somewhat  analagous  was  argued,  which  occurred 


184 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


many  years  ago.  The  Maryland  Conference,  at  its  very 
first  session  (i 831),  after  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution, 
appointed  a  committee  of  five  to  inquire  what  measures  it 
may  be  necessary  for  this  Conference  to  adopt  on  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery.  The  report  made  by  this  committee  was 
adopted  by  the  Conference,  and  is  in  part  as  follows: 

"Whereas,  The  Constitution  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  authorizes  the  Annual  Conferences,  respectively,  '  to  make 
such  special  rules  and  regulations  as  the  peculiarities  of  the  District 
may  require  ;'  and, 

"Whereas,  This  Conference  views  the  existence  of  slavery  as 
one  of  the  greatest  evils  with  which  our  country  is  afflicted,  and  one 
which  demands  the  most  serious  attention  of  every  religious  com- 
munity; therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Conference  that  to  hold 
in  slavery  men,  women  or  children,  or  to  sell  them,  so  that  they  may 
he  enslaved  during  life,  is  irreconcilable  with  the  rules  of  justice 
laid  down  by  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ." 

Thus  said  and  did  the  Maryland  Conference,  so  many 
years  ago,  in  providing  for  the  peculiarities  of  its  District. 
And  this  action  was  repeated  at  several  sessions.  Now, 
eighteen  or  perhaps  twenty  Conferences,  under  the  same 
constitutional  provision,  unite  in  a  similar  declaration  of 
views  respecting  what  they  regard  "one  of  the  greatest  of 
evils;"  only,  these  go  somewhat  further,  so  as  to  exculpate 
and  clear  themselves  of  connection  with  the  evil. 

A  financial  committee,  Joel  S.  Thrap,  Chairman,  made 
a.  thorough  investigation  of  the  business  affairs  of  the  pub- 
lishing enterprise,  located  at  Springfield,  and  reported  them- 
selves to  the  Convention,  satisfied  with  the  course  of  the 
Editor  and  Book  Agent,  and  in  view  of  the  inadequacy  of 
receipts,  urged  the  necessity  of  insisting  upon  a  cash  basis, 
and  increased  energy  on  the  part  of  agents  in  collecting  dues. 

The  Committee  on  Western  Methodist  Protestant,  Joel 
Dalbey,  Chairman,  made  report  of  their  entire  approval  of 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


185 


the  editing  and  conducting  of  the  church  paper.  And  upon 
the  recommendation  of  said  committee,  Ancel  H.  Bassett 
-was  re-elected  Editor  and  Book  Agent. 

The  Committee  on  Book  Department,  John  Scott,  Chair- 
man, advised  the  compilation  of  a  new  hymn-book,  and 
suggested  that  agreeably  to  proposition  of  Cyrus  Prindle, 
Book  Agent  of  the  Wesleyan  Connection,  we  might  unite 
in  preparing  a  joint  hymn-book,  which,  with  simple  change 
of  title-page,  might  answer  for  purposes  of  both  churches. 
Committee  further  recommended  the  publication  of  our 
Discipline,  as  amended  by  this  Convention.  This  report 
was  adopted.  Thomas  H.  Stockton  was  appointed,  on  our 
part,  as  compiler  of  the  hymn-book ;  and  George  Brown, 
Joel  Dalbey,  Samuel  W.  Widney,  James  M.  Mayall  and 
Ancel  H.  Bassett  were  appointed  a  committee  to  assist  in 
the  compilation. 

A  committee  of  five  was  appointed,  with  full  power  to 
decide  upon  a  permanent  location  for  our  Book  Concern. 
The  following  were  appointed  said  committee:  William 
Collier,  Joseph  J.  White,  George  Clancy,  William  Steel, 
John  Fordyce. 

Henry  Heberling,  of  another  committee,  recommended 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  five,  for  the  purpose  of 
fraternizing  with  a  similar  committee  already  appointed  by 
the  General  Conference  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodists,  in 
view  of  a  more  intimate  union  and  co-operation.  This  was 
adopted,  and  the  following  were  appointed  said  committee: 
George  Brown,  George  Clancy,  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  John 
Redman,  James  M.  Johnson. 

Wilson  R.  Parsons,  of  the  Committee  on  Missions,  pre- 
sented a  report,  recommending  Oregon,  Kansas  and  Ne- 
braska as  suitable  mission  fields,  and  advising  the  continu- 
ance of  the  Board  of  Missions  at  Pittsburgh.  The  report 
was  adopted,  and  twelve  persons,  with  John  Scott,  Chair- 
man, were  appointed  said  Board. 


186 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Joseph  J.  Smith,  of  Committee  on  Educatioon,  made 
report,  deploring  certain  college  failures,  but  recommending 
that  measures  be  taken  for  the  establishment  and  endow- 
ment of  a  collegiate  and  theological  institution,  at  some 
central  point.  The  North  Illinois  University,  at  Henry, 
111. ,  was  warmly  commended. 

It  was  determined  that  another  Convention  be  held  in 
November,  i860,  at  Pittsburgh,  to  be  constituted  of  repre- 
sentatives chosen  from  all  the  concurring  Annual  Confer- 
ences. Said  Convention  to  have  power  to  regulate  and 
control  the  interests  of  the  church  paper  and  Book  Con- 
cern, and  to  act  upon  such  changes  in  the  Constitution  and 
Discipline,  as  shall  be  recommended  in  writing  by  such 
number  of  Annual  Conferences  as  embrace  a  majority  of 
all  the  lay  members  included  in  this  confederation  of  Con- 
ferences. 

A  volume  might  be  filled  with  letters  of  approval  and 
gratulation,  soon  after  received,  regarding  the  position 
taken  by  the  Convention. 

Christians  of  other  churches,  and  editors  of  religious 
journals,  in  many  instances,  congratulated  those  who  had 
thus  freed  ourselves  from  complicity  with  slavery.  For 
example,  Cyrus  Prindle,  editor  of  the  Wesleyan,  who  at- 
tended as  visitor,  expressed  himself  thus  in  his  journal: 

"With  many  others  who  attended,  we  were  deeply  interested 
spectators;  and  could  not  refrain  from  tears  of  joy,  in  what  we  saw 
and  heard.  It  was  a  heavenly  place  in  Christ  Jesus.  There  was  no 
angry  discussion,  no  declamatory  utterances,  but  dignified,  strong 
and  unanswerable  purpose  expressed,  that  showed  that  they  under- 
stood their  duty,  and  were  determined  to  do  it.  The  Convention 
performed  its  great  act  of  official  severance  from  slave-holding  in 
such  a  spirit  of  unselfish  devotion  to  God  and  humanity,  as  to  im- 
prove the  spirit  of  true  religion  among  them,  and  render  their  faith 
in  efforts  more  rationally  assuring  than  ever  before.  This  is  a  great 
point  gained." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


BOOK  CONCERN  BUILDING  AT  SPRINGFIELD — MEETING  FOR  FRA- 
TERNIZATION AT  PITTSBURGH — HYMN-BOOK  COMPLICATION  AND 
COMPILATION — ALLEGHENY  SEMINARY  —  NEBRASKA  CONFER- 
ENCE. 

THE  committee  of  five,  appointed  by  the  Convention 
of  1858,  to  consult  and  determine  on  a  permanent 
location  for  the  church  periodical  and  Book  Concern,  met, 
agreeably  to  appointment,  at  Springfield,  March  2d,  1859. 
Propositions  were  received  and  considered  from  Cincin- 
nati, Pittsburgh,  Springfield,  and  Cardington.  After  full 
deliberation,  the  committee  decided,  by  ballot,  in  favor  of 
Springfield  as  the  permanent  location. 

Shortly  after  this  action  of  the  committee,  the  Board  of 
Trust,  at  Springfield,  determined  to  inaugurate  a  movement 
to  secure  a  suitable  lot,  and  erect  permanent  buildings  for 
the  purposes  of  our  publishing  business.  James  B.  Walker 
was  called  upon  to  act  as  Soliciting  Agent  among  the 
brethren  and  citizens  of  Springfield  and  vicinity.  On  July 
6th,  same  year,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church  of  that  city,  participated  in  by  some  seven 
ministers  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  lay  brethren  in  pro- 
portion. Here  a  spirited  discussion  took  place,  and  reso- 
lutions were  adopted,  with  entire  unanimity,  to  use  our 
utmost  influence  and  exertions,  and  to  contribute  of  our 
means,  to  place  the  establishment  on  a  permanent  basis. 
It  was 

"  Resolved,  That  we  fully  concur  with  the  Board  of  Trust  in  its 
judgment,  and  in  its  action  in  this  matter,  and  believe  that  by  put- 

187 


188 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ting  our  shoulder  to  the  wheel,  and  summoning  the  co  operation 
and  aid  of  our  liberal-minded  fellow-citizens  of  Springfield,  and  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  friends  and  brethren  of  the  concurring 
Conferences,  but  especially  of  the  Ohio  District,  the  work  can  be 
effected." 

Liberal  subscriptions  were  commenced  by  those  present, 
and  Brother  Walker  lost  no  time  in  prosecuting  the  work, 
with  great  energy.  The  citizens  outside  of  the  church 
subscribed  liberally,  and  a  favorable  response  generally  was 
received  from  our  people.  At  the  ensuing  session  of  the 
Ohio  Conference,  eleven  hundred  dollars  was  contributed, 
and  it  was  purposed  to  have  the  property  secured,  and 
good  progress  made,  from  aid  within  the  Ohio  District, 
before  help  was  particularly  solicited  from  abroad.  Pledges 
were  given  that  we  would  do  a  safe  business,  as  our  Board 
was  prohibited  from  involving  the  concern  in  debt.  This 
principle  was  faithfully  carried  out  to  the  end. 

In  March,  i860,  a  lot  was  purchased,  sixty  by  two  hun- 
dred feet,  including  a  water  power,  by  which  the  printing 
press  of  the  concern  was  afterwards  propelled  for  several 
years.  A  brick  building  was  erected,  sixty  feet  by  thirty- 
two,  three  stories  in  height,  besides  basement  story  for 
printing  presses.  The  corner-stone  of  this  building  was 
laid,  with  due  ceremony,  on  June  6,  i860.  Ancel  H.  Bas- 
sett  delivered  a  Historical  Address,  and  Wilson  R.  Parsons, 
Joseph  J.  White,  Jonathan  M.  Flood,  Dr.  John  Kost  and 
John  Whetstone  took  part  in  the -exercises. 

The  two  committees  chosen,  one  on  the  part  of  the  Wes- 
leyan  Connection,  by  their  last  General  Conference,  the 
other  on  the  part  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  by 
the  Convention  of  November,  1858,  met  as  a  Committee 
of  Conference,  in  the  First  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
Pittsburgh,  February  1 8th,  1859,  and  continued  for  two  or 
three  days  in  harmonious  interchange  and  consultation. 
George  Brown  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  W.  H.  Brewster 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


189 


Secretary.  Each  committee  made  report  to  the  other  the 
modifications  deemed  necessary  to  give  satisfaction  on 
the  other  side.  These  were  considered  and  talked  over,  in 
kind  spirit.  At  the  first  evening  session,  Cyrus  Prindle  and 
Ancel  H.  Bassett  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare 
and  report  a  plan  of  co-operation  between  the  two  branches 
represented.  This  committee  separated  for  the  night,  hav- 
ing each  his  lodgings  with  friends  in  a  different  city,  one 
north,  the  other  south,  and  the  two  rivers  and  a  great  city 
between  them.  They  of  course  could  not  meet  to  consult 
or  prepare.  Next  morning,  as  the  report  of  the  committee 
was  expected,  each  was  permitted  to  read  his  paper,  upon 
which  it  was  found  that  the  two  were  very  like  in  spirit  and 
sentiment.  Both  papers  were  at  once  referred  back  to  the 
committee,  who  were  permitted  to  retire,  and  prepare  a 
condensed  and  joint  report,  which,  upon  being  submitted, 
was  adopted.  The  two  bodies  are  one  in  doctrine,  general 
usages,  and  in  their  views  on  moral  questions.  In  view  of 
effecting  a  more  efficient  co-operation,  it  was  recommended 
that  our  brethren  generally  unite  in  religious  efforts,  in 
revivals,  in  protracted,  quarterly,  and  other  meetings,  and 
cultivate  Christian  intercourse ;  that  isolated  members  or 
families  of  either  branch,  should  identify  themselves  with  any 
contiguous  organization  of  the  sister  branch;  hat  vacant 
charges  be  supplied  and  served  by  the  ministry  of  the  other 
branch;  that  ministers  of  either  branch  be  interchangebly 
invited  to  honorary  seats  in  Quarterly  Conferences;  that 
Annual  Conferences  and  their  presidents,  when  desired, 
make  provision  to  supply,  mutually,  vacant  fields  of  the 
other  branch ;  that  in  official  acts,  the  presiding  party  be 
governed  by  the  Discipline  of  the  church  served.  The 
committee  further  recommended  the  patronizing  or  reading 
each  others'  publications,  attending  each  others'  ministra- 
tions, visiting  each  others'  conferences,  etc. 

In  reference  to  the  arrangement  for  a  new  compilation 


190 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  hymns,  Thomas  H.  Stockton,  for  sufficient  cause,  de- 
clined the  service  assigned  him  by  the  Convention  of  1858. 
The  responsibility  then  devolved  upon  George  Brown  as 
compiler  in  chief,  for  the  Methodist  Protestant  branch,  with 
his  associates  of  the  committee,  all  of  whom,  save  one 
(Ancel  H.  Bassett),  were  at  remote  distance,  and  took  no 
part.  William  H.  Brewster  had  been  appointed  on  the  part 
of  the  Wesleyans,  and  had  his  compilation  in  a  good  state 
of  forwardness.  When  it  was  completed,  notice  was  given 
to  Dr.  Brown,  then  residing  in  Pennsylvania,  and  to  Ancel 
H.  Bassett,  at  Springfield,  and  they  both,  at  a  given  day, 
October-  nth,  1856,  proceeded  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and 
met  at  the  dwelling  of  Brother  Brewster.  They  were  kindly 
received  and  entertained  in  his  family,  for  several  days, 
while  they  proceeded  through,  in  course,  with  the  examina- 
tion of  the  work  of  the  last  named.  They  were  well  satis- 
fied with  the  production,  in  the  main;  and  with  some  mod- 
ifying suggestions,  concluded  to  recommend  its  adoption 
by  our  people.  But,  within  about  one  month,  it  was  found 
that  the  arrangement  had  to  be  abandoned.  The  Wesleyan 
Agent  could  not  consent  to  publish  till  after  their  next 
General  Conference.  Our  people  could  not  wait.  The 
Board  of  Trust  at  Springfield,  then,  November  1 6th,  called 
a  counsel,  for  consultation,  including  seven  of  our  minis- 
ters, and  all  the  lay  brethren  accessible.  It  was  decided 
that  Brother  Brown  be  requested,  at  once,  to  proceed  with 
the  compilation  of  a  hymn-book  for  the  use  of  our  churches. 
He  accepted,  and  soon  entered  upon  the  work;  spent  most 
of  the  ensuing  winter  in  the  compilation. 

Early  in  March,  i860,  Dr.  Brown  came  to  Springfield, 
to  report  his  production  to  the  Board  of  Trust.  By  arrange- 
ment, more  than  a  week  was  spent  by  his  associate  of  the 
committee,  in  critically  going  through  with  the  hymns  with 
the  compiler.  Many  brethren  feeling  interested,  attended 
at  intervals;  but  Dr.  John  Kost  attended  throughout,  and 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


191 


rendered  essential  aid.  The  work  was  accepted  by  the  Board. 
Dr.  Brown  did  this  service  freely  for  the  church.  But 
afterwards,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  was  made  up, 
by  voluntary  effort,  at  the  three  Conferences,  Ohio,  Mus- 
kingum and  Pittsburgh,  at  their  next  sessions,  and  paid  to 
him.  After  he  had  returned  home,  leaving  his  associate, 
the  publisher,  free  to  make  any  changes  or  any  additions, 
nearly  a  week  more  was  spent,  with  the  aid  of  Dr.  Kost, 
in  preparing  indexes,  and  in  supplying  some  twenty-two 
desirable  hymns,  where  duplications  were  found  to  have 
occurred. 

Our  churches  were  in  extreme  need  of  hymn-books. 
The  complications  referred  to  had  involved  disappointment 
and  vexatious  delays.  But  relief  came  at  last;  and  prompt- 
ness on  the  part  of  book-makers  must  be  admitted.  On 
March  16th,  i860,  the  manuscript  copy  was  sent  to  Mor- 
gan &  Sons,  stereotypers  and  binders,  Cincinnati;  and 
on  June  29th,  ensuing,  that  is,  within  three  months  and 
thirteen  days,  that  house  had  us  supplied  with  copies  of  the 
book,  stereotyped,  printed  and  bound.  The  plate  proofs, 
however,  had  to  be  sent,  during  the  process,  from  Cincin- 
nati to  the  publisher  at  Springfield,  revised  by  him,  usually 
in  the  advanced  hours  of  night,  amid  the  press  of  editorial 
and  business  duties.  This  statement  is  made  in  extenuation 
of  errors  which,  through  the  urgency  of  the  case,  escaped 
correction  in  the  early  editions.  The  first  edition  was 
already  covered  with  orders  when  ready  for  delivery,  and 
another  edition  had  to  be  immediately  engaged. 

About  the  year  1859,  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  entered 
into  arrangements  to  establish  an  institution  of  learning, 
under  the  following  circumstances,  as  stated  by  brother 
John  Scott: 

Charles  Avery,  before  his  death,  placed  in  the  hands  of 
James  Robison  and  William  Collier  $1,500,  to  be  used 
by  them  (or  the  income  arising  from  it),  for  the  assistance 


192 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  young  men  preparing  for  the  ministry.  The  interest 
was,  for  some  time,  so  employed  by  them.  In  1858,  as 
President,  Brother  Scott  recommended  to  the  Conference, 
holding  its  session  in  Sharpsburg,  that  measures  be  taken 
to  secure  an  educational  institution  of  our  own,  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Conference.  At  that  session  or  the  fol- 
lowing one,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  select  a  location, 
and  raise  means  to  establish  such  an  institution.  A  lot  was 
secured  in  Sharpsburg,  and  a  good,  substantial  building  of 
brick  erected,  about  i860  or  1861,  the  moi  e/  to  complete 
it  being  raised  by  subscription.  The  school  was  opened, 
called  Allegheny  Seminary,  and  kept  up  till  the  movement 
to  establish  a  general  institution,  for  the  whole  church,  at 
Adrian,  was  decided  upon,  when  the  school  was  suspended, 
in  view  of  uniting  in  support  of  the  latter  institution.  After 
some  time,  the  property  was  sold,  and  the  proceeds,  $7, ceo, 
were  invested  by  the  Trustees,  the  income  of  which  is 
pledged  to  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Education. 

Professor  George  B.  McElroy  was  for  some  time  Princi- 
pal of  the  Seminary.  Both  he  and  several  young  men 
preparing  for  the  ministry  removed  subsequently  to  Adrian 
College. 

In  i860,  a  small  Conference  was  organized  in  Nebraska, 
which  was  then  just  rising  into  statehood.  The  nucleus 
of  the  organization  was  chiefly  John  M.  Young,  who  had 
been  an  early  and  sacrificing  laborer  in  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, William  S.  Horn,  from  Illinois,  and  Hugh  Doyle,  for- 
merly of  the  Maryland  Conference.  Subsequently  Cyrus 
Carter,  Daniel  Kinney,  John  Lamb,  C.  S.  Bradley  and  J. 
W.  Davis,  from  Ohio,  and  others,  good  and  true,  were 
added  to  their  number.  This  being  frontier  work,  some  aid 
was  rendered  for  a  number  of  years  by  the  Board  of 
Missions. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


CONVENTION    AT    PITTSBURGH,    i860 — GEORGE    BROWN  EDITOR — 

EFFECTS    OF    THE    WAR  —  FINANCIAL    EMBARRASSMENT  SAD 

EVENT  AT  BALTIMORE. 

THE  Convention,  ordered  and  provided  for  by  the  pre- 
vious Convention  of  1858,  met,  pursuant  to  notice, 
in  the  Fifth  Avenue  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Pitts- 
burgh, on  November  14th,  i860.  George  Brown  was 
chosen  President,  and  Joseph  J.  White  Secretary.  Dele- 
gates were  elected  from  nineteen  Annual  Conferences. 
Thirty-eight  delegates  were  present,  from  fourteen  Confer- 
ences. 

The  Convention  attempted  no  legislation  effecting  the 
Constitution  or  Discipline,  as  it  was  found  that  a  sufficient 
number  of  Annual  Conferences  had  not  recommended  any 
change. 

The  Editor  and  Book  Agent  had  the  satisfaction  now  to 
report  the  Book  Concern  free  from  embarrassment.  Three 
years  ago,  the  deficiencies  were  so  large  that  for  two  years 
he  received  not  a  dollar  of  his  salary,  but  continued  to  use 
his  own  means  to  meet  current  expenses.  In  September, 
1858,  the  Board  of  Trust  voluntarily  presented  him  their 
note  of  hand  for  the  full  amount  due  him.  This  was  now 
paid,  within  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  nine  dollars,  as 
reported  by  an  auditing  committee.  This  balance  he  at 
once  donated,  so  as  to  report  to  the  Convention  no  indebt- 
edness.   Yet,  besides  the  current  expenses  of  the  regular 

N  193 


104 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


business,  the  cost  of  stereotyping  the  new  hymn-book  and 
issuing  the  first  edition  had  been  fully  met.  The  new  pub- 
lishing house  was  near  completion,  and  to  be  occupied 
about  the  first  of  the  coming  month ;  and  arrangements  had 
been  made  to  procure  an  Adams  press  to  do  our  printing. 
The  editor  suggested  that,  upon  removal  to  our  permanent 
premises,  arrangements  should  be  made  for  separating  the 
duties  of  editor  and  publishing  agent,  which  had  thus  far 
onerously  devolved  upon  one  person,  from  economical  con- 
siderations. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  suggestion,  the  Commit- 
tee on  Editorial  Department,  through  J.  J.  Smith,  made  a 
report,  recommending  that  the  editorial  and  business  de- 
partments be  hereafter  placed  in  separate  hanis,  so  that  the 
editor  may  hereafter  be  released  from  the  excessive  duties 
necessarily  incurred  in  being  both  editor  and  book  agent  at 
the  same  time  ;  and  that  he  may  devote  himself  exclusively 
to  the  appropriate  duties  of  the  editorial  department ;  and 
that  an  agent  be  appointed  to  take  exclusive  charge  of  the 
business  of  the  Book  Concern  and  the  periodical.  This 
report  was  adopted,  and  by  a  unanimous  vote  George 
Brown  was  elected  editor,  and  by  a  like  vote  Ancel  H. 
Bassett  was  chosen  publishing  agent. 

The  Convention,  through  committees,  took  commenda- 
tory action  regarding  education,  Sabbath-schools  and  mis- 
sions. The  Board  of  Missions  was  continued  at  Pittsburgh, 
consisting  of  twelve  persons,  John  Scott,  Chairman.  Oregon 
and  Nebraska  were  commended  as  mission  fields. 

The  Convention  approved  the  hymn-book  compiled  by 
Dr.  Brown,  and  commended  it  for  general  use  in  our 
churches.    It  was 

"Resolved,  That  this  Convention,  in  behalf  of  the  Conferences 
and  churches  herein  represented,  gratefully  acknowledge  the  good- 
ness of  God,  in  bringing  us  as  a  people,  through  the  late  agitation, 
to  our  present  state  of  general  peace  and  union  among  ourselves." 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


195 


It  was  determined  that  another  Convention  be  appointed, 
to  meet  at  Cincinnati  in  November,  1862.  And  it  was 
advised  that  the  representatives  be  empowered  to  legislate 
upon  the  Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  church. 

Early  in  December,  i860,  the  venerable  George  Brown 
came  to  Springfield,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  as  editor. 
He  was  welcomed  at  the  home  of  his  colleague,  the  pub- 
lishing agent,  for  the  winter  ;  did  not  remove  his  family 
from  their  home  in  Pennsylvania  until  the  ensuing  April, 
1 86 1.  As  during  a  long  itinerancy,  until  he  had  now  en- 
tered his  seventieth  year,  he  had  made  many  removals,  he 
concluded  that  this  should  be  his  last  one.  And  such  the 
event  proved.  He  was  enabled  to  procure  him  a  comfort- 
able home  in  Springfield,  where  he  spent  and  enjoyed  the 
evening  of  his  days,  and  his  honored  grave,  with  a  neat 
marble  monument  erected  by  his  brethren,  is  in  the  beauti- 
ful Fern  Cliff  Cemetery,  connected  with  that  city. 

But,  just  as  this  publishing  enterprise  was  entering  upon 
a  new  era  in  its  work,  with  a  new  building  and  improved 
apparatus  and  arrangements,  a  time  of  severe  trial  awaited 
us.  The  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war,  in  the  spring  of 
1 86 1,  produced  a  paralyzing  influence  upon  the  minds  of 
the  community,  and  upon  financial  interests  generally. 
Many  publishing  houses  were  reduced  to  great  extremity, 
and  not  a  few  to  entire  failure.  Religious  papers  of  the 
Baptist,  Episcopalian,  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  denomi- 
nations, one  after  another,  were  discontinued.  To  save 
expense,  and  keep  going,  many  reduced  the  size  of  their 
sheets  ;  some  adopted  the  measure  to  issue  but  once  in  two 
weeks.  In  the  Western  Methodist  Protestant  of  July  3d, 
1 86 1,  the  publishing  agent  stated  that,  "In  April  last,  just 
at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  our  weekly  receipts  for  the 
the  paper  suddenly  so  fell  off  in  amount  that  the  receipts  of 
a  month  would  be  required  to  meet  the  expenses  of  a  single 
week.    For  eleven  weeks,  our  receipts  fell  considerably 


196 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


short  of  meeting  the  cost  of  the  white  paper  used,  leaving 
nothing  for  the  necessities  of  editor,  printers,  pressman, 
publisher,  or  other  claimants."  For  four  months,  from 
April  20th  to  August  20th,  the  paper  was  issued  at  a  sacri- 
fice of  about  fifty  dollars  per  week.  During  the  same  in- 
terval, large  payments  had  to  be  made  on  lot  and  building, 
and  a  final  payment  of  eight  hundred  dollars  on  our  press. 
In  view  of  these  facts,  and  having  also  to  provide  for  the 
increased  expenses  of  new  fixtures,  and  the  salary  of  a 
distinct  editor  for  the  first  time,  it  is  not  surprising  that,  at 
the  end  of  the  financial  year,  a  deficiency  had  to  be  reported 
of  one  thousand  and  eighty-nine  dollars.  During  the  en- 
suing year,  however,  1861-62,  the  receipts  gradually  im- 
proved, and  the  business  fully  paid  its  way,  with  a  few  dol- 
lars over.  But  the  deficiency  of  a  little  over  one  thousand 
dollars  had  to  be  overcome  in  the  years  following. 

We  were  thankful,  in  the  West,  to  have  been  enabled 
to  stand  the  storm,  and  struggle  through  the  difficulties. 
But  there  were  those  who  fared  worse.  A  sad  case  of  our 
cotemporary  journal  at  Baltimore,  it  gives  us  pain  to  men- 
tion. That  city,  in  the  outset  of  the  war,  was  badly  mixed 
up  with  the  rebellion  element.  The  Methodist  Protestant 
office  encountered  extreme  embarrassments  for  a  time.  It 
was  compelled  to  suspend  issue  for  a  couple  of  weeks,  and 
then  to  reduce  the  size  of  its  sheet.  The  transit  of  mails 
to  Southern  States  was  cut  off  by  military  orders,  until 
about  February,  1862,  when  leave  was  given  for  passing 
the  paper  South,  by  way  of  Old  Point,  per  flag  of  truce, 
with  the  understanding  that  it  was  exclusively  a  religious 
journal.  But  in  the  hight  of  the  general  distress  and  ex- 
citement, the  gifted  editor,  Eli  Y.  Reese,  in  the  prime  of 
his  days,  in  his  forty-fifth  year,  doubtless  overwhelmed  with 
despondency  from  the  complications  and  perplexities  of  the 
situation,  on  September  15th,  1861,  came  to  his  death  by 
his  own  act.    We  suppose  that  the  responsibilities  felt,  and 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


197 


the  scenes  witnessed,  proved  too  much  for  the  endurance 
of  any  mind,  not  sustained  by  extraordinary  wisdom,  forti- 
tude and  grace.  A  sad  shock  was  thus  given  to  all  con- 
nected with  the  Board,  the  Conference,  and  the  church  at 
Baltimore.  Dr.  Waters  officiated  in  a  very  impressive 
funeral  service.  The  Directory  soon  made  arrangements 
for  having  the  paper  conducted,  for  a  time,  by  an  editorial 
committee,  and  thenceforth  its  issues  went  on  without  in- 
terruption. 

After  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  in  1861,  the  Minne- 
sota Conference,  the  youngest  of  our  Annual  Conferences, 
claimed  to  be  the  first  religious  body  in  the  land  to  adopt 
and  publish  resolutions  of  loyalty  to  the  government. 

At  the  session  of  June  7th,  1861,  this  Conference  passed 
the  following : 

Resolved,  That  we  hail  with  joy  and  gratitude  to  God  the 
unity  of  the  free  States  in  the  defense  of  our  national  institutions; 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  good  citizens  to  sustain  the  Government  of 
the  United  States,  by  every  means  necessary  ;  that  it  is  the  sense 
of  this  Conference  that  slavery  is  the  alone  cause  of  the  present 
rebellion,  and  we  believe  it  must  cease  to  be  a  subject  of  national 
support  and  protection  to  secure  the  permanent  peace  and  unity  of 
these  United  States;  that  daily  prayers  be  offered  to  Almighty  God 
in  behalf  of  the  President,  the  army,  the  navy,  and  the  councils  of 
the  nation,  and  that  .His  name  may  be  glorified  in  the  banishment  of 
rebellion  from  the  land." 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


CONVENTION  AT  CINCINNATI,   1862 — DECLARATION  —  ADRIAN  COL- 
LEGE— COLLEGIATE  ASSOCIATION — ENDOWMENT  FUND. 

THE  convention  of  delegates  from  Northern  and  Western 
Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
was  duly  assembled  at  the  Sixth  Street  Church,  Cincinnati, 
on  November  5th,  1862.  Delegates  were  in  attendance 
from  sixteen  Annual  Conferences,  and  commissioners  were 
received  from  the  West  Virginia  Annual  Conference.  Not 
less  than  twenty  Annual  Conferences  had  chosen  delegates 
to  this  body,  a  number  of  absentees  reporting  by  letter. 
The  Muskingum  Conference,  in  this  instance,  declined  to 
be  represented,  but  subsequently  concurred  in  the  action. 
George  Brown  was  chosen  President,  and  Joseph  J.  White 
Secretary. 

This  Convention  found  itself  invested  with  full  legisla- 
tive powers,  by  the  voice  of  nearly  all  the  Annual  Confer- 
ences. These  powers,  however,  were  but  sparingly  exer- 
cised. A  few  amendments  to  constitutional  provisions  were 
agreed  upon,  but  were  referred  for  approval  and  confirma- 
tion by  a  majority  of  the  church  and  of  the  Conferences. 
The  principal  points  thus  passed  upon  were:  1.  Giving 
the  Annual  Conferences  the  discretionary  privilege,  in  ne- 
cessitous cases,  to  continue  a  minister  in  a  station  or  circuit 
for  an  indefinite  period.  2.  Giving  the  Annual  Confer- 
ences discretion  in  stationing  the  President,  or  requiring 
him  to  travel  through  the  District.  3.  It  was  agreed  to 
strike  out  the  word  "male"  in  the  Constitution,  Article 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


199 


XII,  Section  i,  thus  directly  recognizing  the  right  of  female 
members  to  vote  in  church  affairs. 

The  Board  of  Missions  was  located  at  Springfield,  Ohio, 
and  a  new  Board  selected,  consisting  of  Ancel  H.  Bassett, 
James  B.  Walker,  Reuben  Rose,  Ambrose  H.  Trumbo, 
James  M.  Johnson,  William  Gunckel,  John  B.  Clemans. 

Dennis  B.  Dorsey  (Jr.)  was  elected  editor  of  the  West- 
ern Methodist  Protestant,  and  Ancel  H.  Bassett  publishing 
agent. 

Nearly,  if  not  quite  all  the  Annual  Conferences,  had 
expressed  a  desire  for  the  restoration,  by  this  Convention, 
of  a  Constitutional  General  Conference.  It  was  believed 
that  a  majority  of  all  the  Conferences,  in  the  entire  Method- 
ist Protestant  connection,  had  concurred  in  this  wish ;  so 
the  measure  was  finally  carried  into  effect.  The  General 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  which  had 
been  appointed  to  be  held  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  in  May, 
1862,  had  failed  to  hold  its  regular  session,  as  an  impracti- 
cability, by  reason  of  the  then  existing  civil  war.  All  the 
Southern  Conferences  were,  either  willingly  or  unwillingly, 
more  or  less,  involved  in  the  rebellion  against  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  their  pacification  was  far 
from  being  assured.  Therefore,  to  meet  the  extensively 
expressed  wish  for  the  restoration  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence, a  Declaration,  proposed  by  George  Brown,  was 
unanimously  adopted,  the  essential  portion  of  which  is  as 
follows : 

DECLARATION. 

"Whereas,  The  whole  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  by  her 
original  organization,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  November,  1830,  in 
her  twenty-third  article  of  religion,  did  stand  firmly  bound  in  her 
allegiance  to  '  the  President,  the  Congress,  the  General  Assemblies, 
the  Governors,  and  Councils  of  State,  as  the  delegates  of  the  peo- 
ple,' and  did  avow  these  to  'be  rulers  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  according  to  the  division  of  power  made  to  them  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Constitutions  of  their 


200 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


respective  States.  And  that  the  said  States  are  a  sovereign  and  in- 
dependent nation,  and  ought  not  to  be  in  subjection  to  any  foreign 
jurisdiction  ;'  and, 

"Whereas,  The  States  of  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Florida,  Louisiana,  Texas,  Tennes- 
see, Arkansas  and  the  eastern  part  of  Virginia,  including  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church  in  those  States,  did  renounce  their  alle- 
giance to  the  United  States,  and  are  now  in  armed  rebellion  against 
the  Government  of  our  country;  and, 

"  Whereas,  The  position  assumed  by  the  Meihodist  Protestant 
Church  in  the  States  aforenamed,  in  repudiating  the  twenty-third 
article  of  our  religion,  and  taking  part  in  the  rebellion,  must  be 
considered  in  the  light  of  a  revolt  from  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  in  the  free  States,  still  maintaining  her  allegiance,  as  afore- 
said, to  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  United  States.  It  follows, 
therefore,  that  in  the  calling  of  a  Convention  to  reinstate  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  and  for  other  purposes,  the  Methodist  Protestant 
churches  in  the  West  and  North  were  absolved  from  all  obligation 
to  ask  the  official  concurrence  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Confer- 
ences in  the  States  aforesaid,  and  are  left  entirely  free  to  maintain 
the  act  of  suspension  adopted  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  in  1858  ;  and, 

"Whereas,  It  is  in  evidence  before  this  Convention  that 
twenty  out  of  twenty-three  of  the  Conferences  in  the  free  States 
now  strictly  loyal  to  the  government  of  our  country,  according  to 
the  twenty-third  article  of  our  religion,  have  united  in  the  call  of 
a  General  Convention,  the  leading  purpose  of  which  is  to  reinstate 
the  General  Conference;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  On  this  12th  day  of  November,  1862,  in  the  city  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  that  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  by  action  of  the  aforesaid  Convention,  be,  and 
the  same  is  hereby  restored  to  its  full  original  authority  under  the 
Constitution  of  said  Methodist  Protestant  Church." 

As  the  General  Conference  at  Steuben ville,  in  1854,  had 
committed  the  church  paper  and  Book  Concern  to  conven- 
tional control,  and  as  successive  Conventions,  for  eight 
years  past,  had  managed  acceptably  the  interests  commit- 
ted to  their  care,  it  was  now,  on  motion  of  John  Scott,  de- 
termined and  declared  by  the  present  Convention,  about 
to  be  adjourned,  that  the  said  interests,  heretofore  so  man- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH.  201 


aged,  be  now  restored  to  the  control  and  management  of 
the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
now  about  to  be  organized. 

The  next  General  Conference  was  appointed  to  be  held 
at  Allegheny,  Pa.,  on  the  second  Wednesday  in  Novem- 
ber, 1866. 

The  newly  appointed  editor,  Dennis  B.  Dorsey,  re- 
moved from  his  home  at  Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  to  Springfield, 
and  conducted  the  paper  for  two  years. 

Immediately  after  the  Convention  at  Cincinnati,  new 
type  had  to  be  purchased  for  the  Western  Methodist  Prot- 
estant. And  just  then,  the  war  panic  precipitated  upon  us 
an  onerous  and  unprecedented  advance  in  the  price  of 
printing  paper.  The  rates  were  fully  doubled.  Hence 
the  publishing  agent,  by  order  of  the  Board,  was  compelled 
to  reduce  somewhat  the  size  of  the  paper,  and  to  advance 
the  price  of  subscription  from  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  to 
two  dollars,  which  was  not  difference  enough  to  meet  the 
contingency.  This  was  acting  in  common  with  the  entire 
religious  press.  The  New  York  Tribune  stated  that  in  that 
city  the  price  of  paper  rose  from  eight  cents  to  twenty 
cents  per  pound;  that  this  was  a  necessity,  growing  out  of 
the  war.  For  rags  were  withdrawn  entirely  from  the  man- 
ufacture of  paper,  and  restored  by  machinery  to  the  fibrous 
state,  to  be  re-used  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth.  Many  re- 
ligious papers,  not  enduring  the  pressure,  went  into  sus- 
pension. Ours,  however,  struggled  on  against  embarrass- 
ment, though  with  inadequate  receipts.  The  agent,  during 
a  trying  crisis,  suffered  many  anxious  days  and  sleepless 
nights  of  care  and  perplexity  and  toil.  The  responsibilities 
of  the  business,  for  a  series  of  years,  with  intense  applica- 
tion, had  worn  upon  his  health.  This,  with  other  consid- 
erations, led  him  to  conclude  that  his  health,  and  probably 
his  life,  required  that  he  be  relieved.  So,  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Literary  Society,  in  the  middle  of  his  term, 


200 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


respective  States.  And  that  the  said  States  are  a  sovereign  and  in- 
dependent nation,  and  ought  not  to  be  in  subjection  to  any  foreign 
jurisdiction  ;'  and, 

"  Whereas,  The  States  of  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Florida,  Louisiana,  Texas,  Tennes- 
see, Arkansas  and  the  eastern  part  of  Virginia,  including  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church  in  those  States,  did  renounce  their  alle- 
giance to  the  United  States,  and  are  now  in  armed  rebellion  against 
the  Government  of  our  country  ;  and, 

"  Whereas,  The  position  assumed  by  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  in  the  States  aforenamed,  in  repudiating  the  twenty-third 
article  of  our  religion,  and  taking  part  in  the  rebellion,  must  be 
considered  in  the  light  of  a  revolt  from  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  in  the  free  States,  still  maintaining  her  allegiance,  as  afore- 
said, to  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  United  States.  It  follows, 
therefore,  that  in  the  calling  of  a  Convention  to  reinstate  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  and  for  other  purposes,  the  Methodist  Protestant 
churches  in  the  West  and  North  were  absolved  from  all  obligation 
to  ask  the  official  concurrence  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Confer- 
ences in  the  States  aforesaid,  and  are  left  entirely  free  to  maintain 
the  act  of  suspension  adopted  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  in  1858  ;  and, 

"  Whereas,  It  is  in  evidence  before  this  Convention  that 
twenty  out  of  twenty-three  of  the  Conferences  in  the  free  States 
now  strictly  loyal  to  the  government  of  our  country,  according  to 
the  twenty-third  article  of  our  religion,  have  united  in  the  call  of 
a  General  Convention,  the  leading  purpose  of  which  is  to  reinstate 
the  General  Conference;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  On  this  12th  day  of  November,  1862,  in  the  city  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  that  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  by  action  of  the  aforesaid  Convention,  be,  and 
the  same  is  hereby  restored  to  its  full  original  authority  under  the 
Constitution  of  said  Methodist  Protestant  Church." 

As  the  General  Conference  at  Steuben ville,  in  1854,  had 
committed  the  church  paper  and  Book  Concern  to  conven- 
tional control,  and  as  successive  Conventions,  for  eight 
years  past,  had  managed  acceptably  the  interests  commit- 
ted to  their  care,  it  was  now,  on  motion  of  John  Scott,  de- 
termined and  declared  by  the  present  Convention,  about 
to  be  adjourned,  that  the  said  interests,  heretofore  so  man- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH.  201 


aged,  be  now  restored  to  the  control  and  management  of 
the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
now  about  to  be  organized. 

The  next  General  Conference  was  appointed  to  be  held 
at  Allegheny,  Pa.,  on  the  second  Wednesday  in  Novem- 
ber, 1866. 

The  newly  appointed  editor,  Dennis  B.  Dorsey,  re- 
moved from  his  home  at  Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  to  Springfield, 
and  conducted  the  paper  for  two  years. 

Immediately  after  the  Convention  at  Cincinnati,  new 
type  had  to  be  purchased  for  the  Western  Methodist  Prot- 
estant. And  just  then,  the  war  panic  precipitated  upon  us 
an  onerous  and  unprecedented  advance  in  the  price  of 
printing  paper.  The  rates  were  fully  doubled.  Hence 
the  publishing  agent,  by  order  of  the  Board,  was  compelled 
to  reduce  somewhat  the  size  of  the  paper,  and  to  advance 
the  price  of  subscription  from  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  to 
two  dollars,  which  was  not  difference  enough  to  meet  the 
contingency.  This  was  acting  in  common  with  the  entire 
religious  press.  The  New  York  Tribune  stated  that  in  that 
city  the  price  of  paper  rose  from  eight  cents  to  twenty 
cents  per  pound;  that  this  was  a  necessity,  growing  out  of 
the  war.  For  rags  were  withdrawn  entirely  from  the  man- 
ufacture of  paper,  and  restored  by  machinery  to  the  fibrous 
state,  to  be  re-used  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth.  Many  re- 
ligious papers,  not  enduring  the  pressure,  went  into  sus- 
pension. Ours,  however,  struggled  on  against  embarrass- 
ment, though  with  inadequate  receipts.  The  agent,  during 
a  trying  crisis,  suffered  many  anxious  days  and  sleepless 
nights  of  care  and  perplexity  and  toil.  The  responsibilities 
of  the  business,  for  a  series  of  years,  with  intense  applica- 
tion, had  worn  upon  his  health.  This,  with  other  consid- 
erations, led  him  to  conclude  that  his  health,  and  probably 
his  life,  required  that  he  be  relieved.  So,  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Literary  Society,  in  the  middle  of  his  term, 


204 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


On  May  31st,  1865,  pursuant  to  call,  the  donors  to  the 
endowment  fund  met  in  Convention,  at  Springfield,  Ohio, 
for  the  election  of  Trustees  for  the  fund.  This  was  placed 
on  the  basis  of  one  vote  for  each  one  hundred  dollars  se- 
cured to  the  fund.  An  informal  report  of  Reuben  Rose, 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Association,  showed  that  the  subscrip- 
tions had  thus  far  reached  $72,000.  Sixteen  Trustees  were 
elected,  namely :  A.  G.  De  Sellem,  J.  D.  Herr,  J.  J.  Gil- 
lespie, Robert  H.  Marshall,  John  H.  Claney,  John  For- 
dyce,  Joseph  J.  White,  Joel  S.  Thrap,  John  Whetstone, 
Thomas  J.  Finch,  Reuben  Rose,  A.  M.  Searles,  Asa 
Mahan,  James  K.  Ogden,  J.  Seaman,  O.  C.  Payne. 

A  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  the  agents  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, for  their  able  and  eminently  successful  efforts  in 
securing  so  speedily  an  endowment  fund. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


CONFERENCES  ORGANIZED  IS  MISSOURI — UNION  CONVENTION  AT 
CLEVELAND,  1S65— UNION  CONVENTION  AT  UNION  CHAPEL, 
CINCINNATI,  IS66. 

THERE  had  been  a  small  organization  in  Missouri, 
called  the  Platte  Conference ;  but  it  had  become 
extinct.  During  the  late  civil  war,  in  "troublous  times," 
brethren  who  had  chiefly  emigrated  to  North  Missouri,  from 
other  States,  rallied  in  an  effort  to  revive  the  work,  and 
organize  a  Conference.  Gabriel  Williams,  formerly  of  North 
Illinois,  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  our  missionary 
work  in  Missouri.  Some  aid  was  furnished  by  our  Board 
of  Missions  at  Springfield  for  several  years.  An  initiatory 
Conference  was  held  in  September,  1864.  Eleven  minis- 
ters were  recognized,  and  510  members.  Almost  unpar- 
alleled difficulties  and  sufferings  had  to  be  encountered  by 
the  brethren,  as  the  country  was  desolated  by  the  war,  and 
overrun  with  bush-whackers.  But  they  endured  firmly. 
John  Peach,  formerly  of  Michigan,  came  and  entered  into 
the  labors  of  this  Mission  Conference,  with  ardent  devotion 
and  good  effect,  until  the  Master  called  him  home  to  reward. 
In  1866,  he  was  made  President  of  the  new  Conference. 

During  1865,  while  the  country  was  still  infested  with 
bush-whackers  and  guerrillas,  brother  Gabriel  Williams  made 
a  missionary  visit  to  South  Missouri,  and  sought  out  and 
collected  the  scattered  Methodist  Protestants  settled  in  the 
parts.  He  convened  an  incipient  Conference  on  October 
6th,  1865.    Seven  ministers  attended,  and  a  number  of 

205 


206 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


laymen.  Several  mission  fields  were  designated,  and  the 
brethren  entered  at  once  into  the  work  of  evangelists;  and 
success  attended  them.  J.  C.  Nodurft  was  first  made  Super- 
intendent. The  Board  of  Missions  gave  what  help  it  could 
to  these  frontier  laborers.  Soon,  O.  R.  Carlton,  formerly 
of  Indiana,  came  to  this  field,  and  proved  himself  an  effi- 
cient and  devoted  workman.  He  was  made  Superintendent 
of  this  mission  work,  and  continued  to  labor,  with  growing 
success,  for  several  years.  But  he  was  removed  by  death, 
in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness.  The  Conference  continued 
to  prosper.  And  both  these  Conferences  in  Missouri,  soon 
became  self-sustaining. 

The  initiative  movement  for  a  union  between  the  Meth- 
odist Protestants  and  Wesleyans,  which  was  developed  at 
Pittsburgh  in  1859,  was  not  lost  sight  of  by  the  leading 
ones  of  the  latter  denomination.  Several  of  these,  during 
1864,  pertaining  to  Western  Ohio,  came  to  Springfield,  and 
sought  an  unofficial  consultation  with  George  Brown  and 
the  writer,  and  such  others  of  our  ministers  as  were  at 
hand,  in  reference  to  a  union,  which  they  seemed  anxious 
to  see  effected.  In  February,  1865,  Cyrus  Prindle,  then 
Book  Agent  of  the  Wesleyans,  also  visited  Springfield,  and 
spent  a  Sabbath,  preaching  twice  in  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church,  to  great  acceptance.  As  on  various  other 
occasions,  he  decidedly  advocated  a  union.  And  as  partly 
the  result  of  an  interview  with  Dr.  Brown  and  others  on 
that  occasion,  during  the  same  week,  a  circular  was  issued, 
prepared  by  the  latter,  calling  a  Convention  of  non-Episco- 
pal Methodists,  of  the  various  branches,  to  meet  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  June  21st,  ensuing. 

Meanwhile,  Dr.  Hiram  Mattison,  of  New  York,  and 
others,  had  separated  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  organized  some  Independent  Methodist  Churches. 
These,  at  a  Conference,  in  September,  1864,  appointed  a 
committee,  of  which  said  Dr.  Mattison  was  the  principal, 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


207 


to  confer  with  committees  of  other  Methodist  bodies,  with 
a  view  of  forming  a  union  of  all  the  Methodist  churches  of 
the  country  which  repudiate  Episcopacy.  This  committee 
finally  coalesced  with  Dr.  Brown  and  others  in  issuing  the 
call  as  above  stated.  This  Convention  was  to  be  prelimi- 
nary, unofficial  and  voluntary,  and  composed  of  ministers 
and  laymen,  of  the  different  branches,  for  a  full  and  free 
consultation  on  the  subject  of  Union.  This  call  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Western  Methodist  Protestant  and  in  the 
American  Wesleyan. 

This  Convention  met,  according  to  announcement 
Sixty-three  persons  of  the  Wesleyan  order  were  enrolled ; 
fifty-six  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church;  three  from 
Union  Chapel,  Cincinnati;  two  Free  Methodists;  and  Dr. 
Mattison,  of  the  Independent  Methodists.  John  Scott, 
Methodist  Protestant,  was  elected  President,  and  John 
McEldowney,  Wesleyan,  Secretary.  After  three  days'  delib- 
eration, a  paper,  prepared  by  L.  C.  Matlack,  was  unani- 
mously adopted,  recommending  the  union  of  the  bodies 
represented  in  the  Convention,  and  recommending  the 
calling  of  a  delegated  Convention,  to  be  held  in  Union 
Chapel,  Cincinnati,  in  May,  1866;  said  Convention  to  be 
authorized  to  fix  a  basis  of  union,  and  the  mode  of  its  con- 
summation. 

On  May  9th,  1866,  the  delegated  non-Episcopal  Meth- 
odist Convention  accordingly  assembled  in  Union  Chapel, 
Cincinnati.  One  hundred  and  forty  delegates  were  in 
attendance,  ministerial  and  lay.  Nearly  all  the  (Free  State) 
Annual  Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
and  also  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection,  were  rep- 
resented in  the  Convention ;  likewise  Union  Chapel,  Cin- 
cinnati, and  two  or  three  other  Union  or  Independent 
churches.  But  the  Free  Methodist  body  sent  no  repre- 
sentation; and  Dr.  Mattison,  who  had  been  a  leading  spirit 
in  the  previous  Convention,  at  Cleveland,  had  returned  to 


208 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


his  allegiance  to  the  old  church,  and  was  no  more  heard 
from.    Shortly  afterwards  his  death  was  announced. 

S.  A.  Baker,  of  New  York,  was  elected  President,  and 
John  McEldowney  and  George  B.  McElroy  Secretaries. 
A  large  Committee  on  Basis  of  Union,  consisting  of  minis- 
ters and  laymen,  was  appointed,  George  Brown,  Chairman. 
This  committee  digested,  and  reported  for  adoption,  from 
day  to  day,  in  parts,  the  Elementary  Principles  and  Consti- 
tution. Their  reports  varied  but  slightly,  from  the  regular 
Constitution  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  as  revised 
by  the  Convention  of  1858.  The  portions  reported,  from 
time  to  time,  were  considered  and  adopted.  The  question 
of  a  name  for  the  united  body  caused  some  discussion. 
The  term  "Methodist  Church"  having  been  proposed, 
Cyrus  Prindle  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  the  name 
"United  Methodists."  But  in  taking  the  vote,  by  ayes 
and  nays,  the  former  term  was  adopted,  by  a  majority  of 
109  to  22. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  first  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Church  be  held  the  third  Wednesday  in  May, 
1867,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  once  every  four  years  there- 
after. A  committee  of  seven  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
Discipline,  embracing  all  necessary  prudential  rules;  said 
committee  to  report  to  the  next  General  Conference.  Mean- 
while, it  was  advised  that  the  Conferences  and  churches  be 
governed  by  the  Disciplines,  respectively,  which  they  have 
heretofore  used,  until  the  new  Discipline  shall  be  prepared 
and  adopted. 

As  evidence  of  the  unanimity  with  which  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  brethren  concurred  in  this  Union  Con- 
vention movement,  all  their  Conferences,  twenty-three 
in  number,  elected  delegates  to  the  Convention,  from 
twenty-two  of  which  Conferences,  delegates  were  present; 
the  distant  Conference  of  Oregon  being  the  only  missing 
one.    When  the  vote  was  taken  on  the  adoption  of  the 


MKTHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


209 


name  "Methodist  Church,"  but  three  Methodist  Protest- 
ants voted  in  the  negative.  It  was  a  painful  struggle  with 
many,  to  relinquish  their  long  cherished  and  long  honored 
name,  "Methodist  Protestant;"  but  they  yielded  this,  as 
an  honorable  party  to  a  compromise,  for  the  sake  of  a  union 
which  it  was  believed  would  be  promotive  of  the  cause  of 
truth  and  right;  and  in  which,  they  had  reason  to  believe, 
the  other  parties  to  the  compromise  would  concur,  for  the 
like  purpose,  and  from  the  like  honorable  impulse. 

On  July  1 8th,  1866,  a  meeting  of  the  committee  ap- 
pointed, as  above,  to  prepane  a  draft  of  a  Discipline,  was 
held  at  Springfield.  Luther  Lee,  the  chairman,  had  antici- 
pated the  meeting,  and  had  been  on  hand  for  most  of  a 
week,  preparing  his  draft  for  the  committee.  Of  the  com- 
mittee, three  Wesleyans  were  in  attendance,  namely :  Luther 
Lee,  Samuel  B.  Smith  and  George  W.  Bainum;  and  three 
Methodist  Protestants,  namely:  George  Brown,  John  Scott 
and  Joel  S.  Thrap.  The  committee,  in  harmony,  adopted 
the  draft  prepared,  and  had  it  in  readiness  to  be  reported 
to  the  General  Conference. 

o 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  AT  ALLEGHENY,  PA.,  NOVEMBER,  1 866  — 
THE  UNION — MINISTERIAL  EDUCATIONAL  ASSOCIATION — COL- 
LEGIATE ASSOCIATION. 

r  I  ^HE  movement  for  the  union  of  the  two  principal  bodies, 


1  Methodist  Protestant  and  Wesleyan,  involved  the 
rare  circumstance  that  two  General  Conferences  were  to  be 
assembled  within  six  months  of  each  other.  By  order  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Convention,  at  Sixth  Street,  Cin- 
cinnati, in  November,  1862,  the  General  Conference  of 
that  denomination  was  to  be  held  in  Allegheny,  Pa.,  in 
November,  1866.  And  by  order  of  the  Union  Convention 
at  Union  Chapel,  Cincinnati,  in  May,  1866,  the  first  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church  was  to  be  held  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  May,  1867.  Most  of  the  Annual  Con- 
ferences of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  elected  two 
sets  of  representatives,  one  to  attend  the  General  Confer- 
ence at  Allegheny,  the  other  to  attend  the  one  at  Cleve- 
land. But  the  Pittsburgh  and  Ohio  Conferences,  and  it 
may  be  some  others,  elected  the  same  set  of  representatives 
to  attend  both  the  General  Conferences. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  according  to  appointment,  held  its  session  in  Alle- 
gheny, commencing  November  14th,  1866.  Forty-four  rep- 
resentatives were  in  attendance,  from  thirteen  Annual  Con- 
ferences. John  Scott  was  elected  President,  and  Joseph  J. 
White  and  E.  A.  Wheat  Secretaries.  George  Brown  pre- 
sented the  Constitution  of  the  Methodist  Church,  adopted 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


211 


by  the  Union  Convention  in  May  preceding,  and  the  Dis- 
cipline, prepared  by  a  committee  of  said  Convention,  of 
which  he  was  a  member.  The  consideration  of  these  im- 
portant documents  was  referred  to  a  select  committee  of 
five.  This  committee,  of  which  Dr.  Brown  was  chairman, 
in  its  report,  said  : 

"We  find,  on  thorough  examination,  that  twenty  of  the  twenty- 
four  Annual  Conferences  entitled  to  representation  in  this  body, 
have  indorsed  the  union  of  the  non-Episcopal  Methodist  Churches. 
From  one  we  have  no  report.  Three  others  have  yet  to  act  upon 
the  question,  at  their  ensuing  sessions,  and  these  will,  no  doubt, 
favor  the  union.  We  likewise  find  that  seventeen  of  the  twenty- 
four  Conferences  have  clothed  their  representatives  to  this  body 
with  full  conventional  power  and  authority  to  so  change  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  as  to  enable  our  de- 
nomination, in  an  orderly  way,  through  this  Conference,  to  place 
itself  under  the  ecclesiastical  economy  agreed  upon  at  the  Cincin- 
nati Convention  (Union  Chapel)." 

The  committee  recommended  that  this  body,  acting  in 
good  faith  towards  all  parties  concerned,  now  enter  into 
the  proposed  union.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  the  report 
was  adopted,  embracing  the  following  resolution  : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Constitution,  as  adopted  by  the  Convention 
in  Cincinnati,  in  May,  1866,  and  the  Discipline  prepared  by  the 
committee  there  appointed,  and  as  amended  by  this  Convention, 
is  hereby  adopted,  to  take  effect  immediately  upon  the  adjourn- 
ment of  this  Convention  ;  and  the  style  and  title  of  this  denomi- 
nation, from  and  after  the  adjournment  of  this  body,  shall  be  the 
'Methodist  Church,'  and  so  to  be  represented  in  the  General  Con- 
ference in  Cleveland,  next  May." 

Thus,  this  General  Conference,  being,  by  its  constitu- 
ents, fully  invested  with  conventional  powers,  acted  in  con- 
ventional capacity,  as  well  as  in  General  Conference  ca- 
pacity. 

A  communication  having  been  received  from  a  body  of 


212 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Methodist  Protestants  in  North  Carolina,  who  claimed  to 
have  been  loyal  to  the  Government  during  the  late  civil 
war,  asking  the  General  Conference  to  recognize  them  as  in 
union  with  the  loyal  Methodist  Protestant  Church  of  the 
North,  and  to  embrace  them  as  a  Conference  District,  this 
request  was  complied  with  ;  a  resolution  was  passed,  ex- 
pressing sympathy  in  their  recent  trials  and  sufferings, 
caused  by  the  war,  and  a  Conference  District  was  set  off 
and  recognized  as  the  North  Carolina  District. 

An  Association  had  been  formed  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  to 
raise  means  to  assist  young  men  in  obtaining  an  education 
for  the  ministry.  A  Board  of  Ministerial  Education  had 
been  chosen,  to  serve  until  the  assembling  of  General  Con- 
ference. Circulars  had  been  sent  out  through  the  denomi- 
nation, enlisting  general  interest  in  the  object,  and  some 
$4,000  had  been  secured  and  invested  for  the  purposes  of 
the  Association.  The  whole  was  now  tendered  to  the  con- 
trol of  the  General  Conference.  The  offer  was  accepted, 
with  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  zeal  and  liberality  of 
those  who  had,  with  so  much  devotion,  brought  forward  am 
enterprise  so  deserving  and  so  useful.  A  Board  of  Minis- 
terial Education,  located  at  Pittsburgh,  was  organized  by 
the  General  Conference,  consisting  of  William  Rinehart, 
R.  H.  Marshall,  J.  H.  Claney,  James  Robison,  Alexander 
Clark  and  Valentine  Lucas.  James  B.  Walker,  through 
whose  energy  and  efforts  chiefly  the  enterprise  had  thus  far 
made  such  successful  progress,  was  elected  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  Board. 

The  Board  of  Missions  was  continued  at  Springfield, 
Ohio,  and  was  constituted  of  the  following  persons:  Mar- 
tin V.  B.  Euans,  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  James  E.  Snowden, 
William  Gunckel,  James  G.  Evans  and  James  M.  Johnson. 
Reuben  Rose  was  elected  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Missions. 

A  committee  of  seven,  William  Gunckel  Chairman, 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


213 


investigated  the  affairs  of  the  church  paper  and  Book  Con- 
cern, and  made  a  report,  accepting  the  tender  of  the  Con- 
vention, and  the  offer  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  holding 
the  property,  and  having  control  of  the  publishing  interests 
at  Springfield,  to  now  assume  control,  and  hereafter  manage 
the  publishing  interests,  and  also  accepting  and  adopting 
the  Constitution  of  the  Board,  as  placed  on  official  record 
at  Springfield.  The  committee  recommended  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  Western  Methodist  Protestant  to  an  eight  page 
sheet,  approved  the  editorial  course  of  Dr.  Scott,  as  Editor 
for  the  past  two  years,  and  commended  the  faithfulness  and 
energy  of  Joel  S.  Thrap,  the  Publishing  Agent,  for  the  same 
term.  Approval  was  also  expressed  of  the  services  ren- 
dered the  church  by  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  as  Publishing  Agent, 
during  a  long  term  of  years.  The  report  was  adopted. 
And  subsequently,  on  motion  of  Valentine  Lucas,  the  name 
of  the  paper  was  changed  to  the  Methodist  Recorder. 

John  Scott  was  re-elected  Editor,  and  Ancel  H.  Bassett 
was  again  chosen  Publishing  Agent.  The  following  were 
constituted  the  Board  of  Publication  :  William  Gunckel, 
George  W.  Kent,  James  Robison,  William  Miller,  Jonathan 
M.  Flood,  James  G.  Evans,  James  E.  Snowden. 

The  subject  of  education  and  college  interests  received 
due  attention  by  the  General  Conference.  William  Gunckel 
and  Joseph  J.  White,  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Con- 
vention of  1862  to  visit  Adrian  College,  made  a  report  of 
their  mission,  which  seemed  a  failure,  as  stated  in  a  previous 
chapter.  But  the  Collegiate  Association  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  had  made  very  encouraging  progress  in 
securing  an  endowment  fund  for  a  college,  wherever  it 
might  finally  be  located.  And  a  Committee  of  the  Associa- 
tion, it  was  stated,  had  recently  effected  a  prospective  ar- 
rangement with  the  Wesleyan  Trustees  for  joint  occupancy 
and  management  of  Adrian  College,  on  terms  which  they 
had  accepted.    The  Conference  commended  the  endow- 


214 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ment  enterprise,  and  recommended  that  the  fund  be  amply 
increased.  Also,  recommended  that  the  terms  agreed  upon 
with  the  then  existing  Board  of  Trustees  of  Adrian  College 
be  faithfully  carried  out,  and  commended  said  college  to  the 
confidence  and  patronage  of  our  ministers  and  people. 

The  Conference  elected  the  following  persons  Trustees 
of  the  Endowment  Fund :  Joel  S.  Thrap,  John  Fordyce, 
Zachariah  Ragan,  Thomas  A.  Reed,  J.  J.  Gillespie,  Robert 
H.  Marshall,  John  Redman,  John  Whetstone,  George 
Brown,  Nathan  R.  Swift,  Reuben  Rose,  Thomas  J.  Finch, 
James  B.  Walker,  Joseph  J.  White,  William  Gunckel,  Jon- 
athan M.  Flood,  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  Joseph  J.  Smith,  James  M. 
Mayall,  John  Kost,  James  Ross,  H.  Stackhouse,  Asa 
Mahan,  E.  D.  Stultz. 

Shortly  after  the  General  Conference,  the  new  Board  of 
Publication  met  at  Springfield,  and  after  much  deliberation, 
determined  on  the  enlargement  of  the  weekly  paper  to  an 
eight  page  sheet,  and  the  necessary  advance  of  its  price  to 
two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  year.  This  went  into  effect 
so  soon  as  material  and  fixtures  could  be  procured.  The 
editor,  Dr.  Scott,  with  his  enlarged  field,  entered  with  re- 
newed energy  upon  his  duties.  And  the  former  publisher, 
after  his  respite,  now  reinstated,  resumed  the  duties  with  a 
will.  Meanwhile,  the  retiring  agent,  Brother  Thrap,  en- 
tered at  once  upon  the  agency  of  Adrian  College,  \\  he  e  he 
since  had  a  long  and  successful  career. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 


FIRST  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  THE  METHODIST  CHIRCH,  CLEVE- 
LAND, OHIO,  MAY,  1 867 — KANSAS  CONFERENCE— RESIGNATION 
OF  EDITOR  SCOTT — ALEXANDER  CLARK  SUCCEEDS — MARSHALL 
COLLEGE. 

THE  assemblage  designated  and  constituted  as  the  first 
General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church,  was 
almost  essentially  a  Methodist  Protestant  body,  minus  the 
name.  This  had,  by  agreement  in  the  union  compromise, 
been  changed,  by  omitting  the  word  "  Protestant."  On  May 
15th,  1867,  according  to  appointment,  the  body  assembled 
in  the  city  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  At  least  twenty-two  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Conferences  had  elected  representa- 
tives to  the  Conference.  Fifty-three  of  these  representa- 
tives, from  sixteen  Annual  Conferences,  were  in  attendance. 
Not  a  single  Annual  Conference  of  the  Wesleyan  denomina- 
tion was  represented,  and  but  four  ministers  and  three  lay- 
men of  that  order  were  present.  There  was  a  too  manifest 
backing  off  from  the  union  arrangement,  on  the  part  of  the 
main  body  of  the  Wesleyans.  All  the  leading  ones  who 
had  proposed  and  advocated  the  union  were  now  among 
the  missing — had  returned  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  or  made  arrangements  to  do  so.  And  the  main 
remaining  nucleus  of  the  Wesleyan  denomination,  centering 
at  Syracuse,  New  York,  where  was  published  their  official 
paper,  had  settled  upon  a  purpose  to  hold  out  as  a  distinct 
body.  More  than  this;  those  connected  with  Adrian  Col- 
lege, excepting  Professors  McKeever  and  Lowrie,  did  their 

2I5 


216 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


utmost  to  defeat  the  arrangement  for  joint  proprietorship, 
and  joint  management  of  the  college,  the  very  arrangement 
which  they  had  proposed  and  invited.  They  now  sought 
to  oust  the  "Methodist"  body  from  any  position  or  partici- 
pation in  the  college,  after  they  had  in  good  faith  entered 
into  arrangements  for  co-operation.  Yet  there  were  of  the 
Wesieyan  body  some  honorable  exceptions,  though  by  no 
means  numerous.  And  the  General  Conference,  in  good 
faith  fulfilling  its  conventional  pledges,  declared  the  "union, 
in  the  manner  originally  contemplated,  an  accomplished 
fact." 

Thomas  B.  Graham,  of  Ohio,  was  elected  President  of  the 
General  Conference,  and  Professor  Lowrie  and  Thomas  B. 
Appleget  Secretaries. 

The  Board  of  Missions  and  the  Board  of  Ministerial 
Education  were  both  continued  without  change,  the  former 
at  Pittsburgh,  the  latter  at  Springfield,  and  Reuben  Rose 
was  re-elected  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  and 
James  B.  Walker  was  re-elected  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Ministerial  Education. 

The  Conference,  by  a  committee,  investigated  the  con- 
dition of  the  publishing  interests,  and  found  property  in 
Springfield,  unencumbered  assets  above  liabilities,  about 
twenty  thousand  dollars.  The  Publishing  Agent  was  ena- 
bled to  report  that  the  enlargement  of  the  paper,  with  the 
increase  of  its  price,  had  thus  far  proved  a  success,  and 
seemed  to  be  sanctioned  by  our  people.  Immediately  after 
the  issuing  of  first  number,  in  the  improved  and  enlarged 
form,  the  responses  in  support  of  the  enterprise  began  to 
come  in  from  all  quarters.  For  the  twenty-three  weeks, 
from  December  ist,  1866,  to  the  middle  of  May,  1867,  over 
seven  hundred  new  subscribers  were  received,  being  an 
average  of  thirty-two  for  each  week  from  the  commence- 
ment, including  the  three  weeks  of  delay  for  the  new 
material  and  new  arrangements.    The  cash  receipts  for  the 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


217 


same  period,  from  all  sources,  and  for  all  purposes,  averaged 
two  hundred  and  forty-nine  dollars  per  week,  or  forty-eight 
dollars  per  day,  for  each  business  day  from  the  time  of  the 
Allegheny  General  Conference.  The  agent  was  grateful 
to  say,  that  within  this  fractional  term,  between  the  two 
General  Conferences,  he  was  thus  enabled  to  meet  the  cur- 
rent expenses,  and  to  pay  off  over  one  thousand  dollars  of 
previous  indebtedness,  which  he  found  standing  against  the 
office  when  he  resumed^the  charge  thereof. 

George  Brown,  of  committee  appointed  by  Cincinnati 
Convention  of  1866,  submitted  copy  of  the  Discipline  pre- 
pared by  said  committee.  The  same  was  acted  upon,  sec- 
tion by  section,  from  day  to  day,  discussed,  amended,  and 
adopted,  and  the  whole  prepared  for  publication. 

The  General  Conference  devoted  much  attention  to 
college  interests.  The  action  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
General  Conference,  at  Allegheny,  in  appointing  a  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  Endowment  Fund  was  approved  and  en- 
dorsed. It  was  announced  that  Adrian  College,  which  was 
originally  organized  under  the  auspices  of  the  Wesleyan 
Connection,  has  now,  in  a  legal  and  honorable  manner,  be- 
come the  property  of  the  Methodist  Church ;  that  at  the 
present  time,  two  Boards  of  Trustees  were  necessary,  one 
for  the  Fund  and  one  for  the  College.  But  changes  in  the 
charter  were  contemplated,  by  which  the  two  would  be 
united,  and  the  church  become  possessed,  in  due  form,  of 
both  the  college  and  its  endowment.  This  was  afterwards 
verified. 

John  Scott  was  re-elected  Editor  and  Ancel  H.  Bassett 
Publishing  Agent.  Some  members  of  the  Conference  con- 
sidered these  elections  superfluous,  and  declined  to  take  any 
part  in  them,  as  the  elections  made  at  the  General  Confer- 
ence in  Allegheny,  last  fall,  were  for  a  term  of  four  years, 
and  needed  only  to  be  endorsed  by  this  Conference. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  compile  a  new  hymn- 


21 8 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


book,  consisting  of  William  Reeves,  Alexander  Clark,  L 
W.  Keever,  William  Rinehart  and  Jacob  A.  Dohrman. 

The  statistics  obtained  at  this  General  Conference  exhib- 
ited a  membership  of  49,030. 

A  majority  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  General 
Conference,  to  consider  and  act  upon  propositions  for  re- 
moval of  the  Publishing  House  to  some  other  city,  met  at 
Springfield,  on  October  30th,  1867.  The  result  of  their 
deliberations  was,  that  inasmuch  as  no  definite  proposition- 
was  received  from  any  other  city,  pledging  either  money  or 
real  estate,  for  the  purposes  of  the  Book  Concern,  the  com- 
missioners referred  the  whole  question  back  to  the  next 
General  Conference. 

In  1867,  Thomas  H.  Colhouer,  formerly  of  the  New 
Jersey  Conference,  latterly  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference, 
and  now  its  President,  issued  his  work  entit'ed  "Non-Epis- 
copal Methodism,  contrasted  with  Episcopal  Methodism."' 
It  is  a  volume  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-one  pages,  and 
embraces  an  elaborate  and  thorough  investigation  of  gov- 
ernmental Methodism,  in  all  its  phases,  historically  and 
practically.  Three  large  editions  of  the  work  have  been 
circulated. 

In  1868,  Charles  Caddy,  one  of  the  senior  members  of 
the  Ohio  Conference,  published  the  "Life  and  Times  of 
Rev.  Robert  Dobbins."  This  volume  is  a  pleasant  and 
merited  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  good  man,  who  had  for 
many  years  been  regarded  the  patriarch  of  his  Conference. 

For  several  years,  anxious  efforts  were  made,  through 
various  agencies,  under  the  Board  of  Missions,  to  effect 
permanent  organizations  in  Kansas.  Under  the  devoted 
labors  of  Moses  Jared,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  about  1867, 
matters  took  encouraging  shape  for  progress  and  building 
up.  Brother  Daniel  Young  gives  us  this  account :  "The 
first  Conference  that  I  attended  in  this  State  was  in  the  fall 
of   1868.    Three  preachers  only,  besides   myself,  were 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


219 


present,  Moses  Jared,  the  missionary,  Nelson  Burgess  and 
Brother  Crane,  and  three  delegates,  all  told.  That  year  I 
did  the  best  I  could  for  Hum  bolt  Mission.  Through  sick- 
ness, I  missed  the  next  Conference.  At  the  session  of 
1870,  we  had  several  accessions  to  the  ministry.  Here  we 
cut  loose  from  dependence  on  the  Board  of  Missions,  to 
live  on  our  own  resources.  Eight  of  us  preachers  entered 
into  a  bond,  pledging  ourselves  to  venture  out,  in  old  Meth- 
odist style,  to  make  our  Conference  live  by  its  own  exer- 
tions. From  that  date  we  have  prospered.  We  now 
(1877)  have  over  seventy  traveling  and  local  ministers,  and 
1,503  members  reported  at  last  session." 

Meanwhile,  providentially,  other  helpers  came  to  the 
field.  Samuel  Young,  with  a  colony  from  West  Virginia; 
Jacob  Nichols,  from  Muskingum;  Reuben  Baker,  the  pres- 
ent wide-awake  President,  from  North  Illinois,  with  others 
equally  deserving  of  mention.  And  now  the  Kansas  Con- 
ference would  compare  favorably  with  Conferences  in  older 
Slates. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  in 
May,  1870,  Brother  Scott  tendered  his  resignation  as  edi- 
tor, to  take  effect  on  the  1st  of  September,  in  view  of  re- 
turning to  the  pastoral  service.  The  Board  elected  Alex- 
ander Clark  to  serve  as  editor  for  the  remainder  of  the 
term,  till  next  General  Conference.  He  accordingly,  in 
due  time,  assumed  the  duties,  retiring  from  the  pastoral 
service,  and  removed  his  family  to  Springfield. 

About  the  year  1855,  the  North  Illinois  Conference  en- 
tered into  spiritedSmeasures  to  establish  a  college  at  Henry 
City,  111.  A  charter  was  obtained  from  the  Legislature  of 
the  State,  with  university  privileges  and  powers.  Consid- 
erable money  was  raised  by  subscription  in  the  church, 
while  citizens  of  the  place  made  liberal  subscriptions  for  the 
enterprise.  A  beautiful  plot  of  ground  of  ten  acres,  within 
the  city  limits,  was  secured,  and  a  fine  three-story  brick 


220 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


building  erected.  An  academic  school  was  organized,  and 
■was  continued,  with  varied  success  and  under  various 
administrations,  until  the  year  1870.  In  1857,  Professor 
George  B.  McElroy  was  elected  to  preside  over  the  institu- 
tion, and  so  continued  for  a  number  of  years.  Subsequently, 
Dr.  John  Kost  took  charge  of  the  college  as  President,  and 
a  full  Board  of  Trustees  was  organized.  The  catalogues  for 
three  years  of  Dr.  Kost's  administration,  present  encour- 
aging exhibit.  But,  unfortunately,  the  enterprise  was  crip- 
pled with  debt,  the  means  contributed  from  the  church 
having  been  expended  in  building,  instead  of  being  invested 
for  endowment  purposes.  Meanwhile,  Adrian  College, 
elsewhere  more  definitely  spoken  of,  was  coming  into  suc- 
cessful operation,  as  a  general  institution  for  the  church. 
In  view  of  enhancing  its  success,  and  promoting  the  inter- 
ests of  the  greatest  number,  propositions  were  made  from 
Adrian  College  to  the  Trustees  of  Marshall  College  to  unite 
the  two  institutions.  Opposition  was  at  first  made  to  this, 
but  finally,  in  view  of  the  general  interest,  a  majority  of 
the  Trustees  were  prepared  to  vote  for  the  measure.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  Board  in  the  summer  of  1870,  provis- 
ional proceedings  for  union  with  Adrain  College  were  made, 
and  at  the  ensuing  Conference,  in  September,  at  Princeton, 
the  act  was  confirmed. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  PITTSBURGH,  187I  —  DEATH  OF  GEORGE 
BROWN — REMOVAL  OF  PUBLISHING  BUSINESS  TO  PITTSBURGH 
— RESIGNATION  OF  ANCEL  H.  BASSETT — JAMES  ROBISON  PUB- 
LISHING AGENT. 

AGREEABLY  to  announcement,  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Church  convened  at  First 
Church,  Fifth  Avenue,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  May  17th,  1S71. 
Twenty-two  Annual  Conferences  had  elected  representa- 
tives to  this  body,  of  whom  seventy-six  were  in  attendance, 
from  nineteen  Conferences.  Ex-Governor  Francis  H.  Pier- 
point  was  elected  President,  and  H.  B.  Knight  and  J.  R. 
Mulvane  Secretaries.  The  various  church  interests  were 
thoroughly  scanned,  through  the  usual  standing  committees; 
and  proposed  amendments  to  the  Discipline  were  consid- 
ered and  acted  upon.  Fraternal  messengers  were  received 
from  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  from  the  General  Conference  of  the  Method- 
ist Protestant  Church.  The  former  was  represented  by  J. 
G.  Bruce  and  S.  M.  Merrill  (afterwards  bishop).  These 
were  responed  to  by  George  Brown  and  William  Collier. 
The  latter  denomination  was  represented  by  J.  T.  Murray  and 
Thomas  McCormick.  These  were  responded  to  by  Corne- 
lius Springer,  Ancel  H.  Bassett  and  President  Pierpoint. 
These  interchanges  were  altogether  cordial,  and  indicated, 
on  all  hands,  an  increasing  spirit  of  fellowship  and  co-oper- 
ation in  Christian  work. 

From  the  reports  of  the  Secretary  and  Board  of  Minis- 
terial Association,  it  appeared  that  that  enterprise  had 

221 


222 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


proved  a  success,  and  been  attended  by  very  useful  results. 
J.  B.  Walker  was  unanimously  continued  as  Corresponding 
Secretary,  and  the  Board  was  continued  at  Pittsburgh,  to 
be  constituted  hereafter  of  the  following  persons  :  G.  G. 
Westfall,  I.  VV.  McKeever,  T.  H.  Colhouer,  J.  H.  Claney, 
R.  H.  Marshall,  William  Morrison,  and  the  Secretary. 

The  Board  of  Missions  was  ordered  to  be  located  at 
Pittsburgh,  to  consist  of  the  following  persons:  William 
Collier,  T.  F.  Scott,  H.  B.  Knight,  Robert  Marshall, 
John  Scott,  John  H.  Claney,  and  the  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary, to  which  latter  office  Charles  H.  Williams  was  elected. 

The  interests  of  Adrian  College  received  full  attention, 
and  were  ably  represented  by  President  Mahan  and  others. 
Early  in  1869,  a  disaster  had  occurred  in  the  destruction  of 
one  of  the  main  buildings,  South  Hall,  by  fire.  But  the 
friends  of  the  institution  were  excited  to  a  noble  effort  to 
raise  means  to  replace  the  building,  and  it  was  done,  at  a 
cost  of  some  $13,000.  The  terms  of  fifteen  Trustees  hav- 
ing expired,  that  number  was  elected  at  this  Conference  to 
fill  the  vacancies. 

The  new  compilation  of  hymns  was  submitted  to  the 
General  Conference  by  Alexander  Clark,  who  was  its  chief 
compiler,  and  having  been  duly  inspected  and  approved 
by  a  committee,  of  which  Dr.  A.  Mahan  was  chairman, 
was  adopted,  and  ordered  for  publication.  The  Confer- 
ence voted  a  request  for  George  Brown  to  prepare  for  pub- 
lication a  volume  of  his  sermons.  In  reply,  he  consented 
to  do  so,  if  his  life  and  health  should  be  continued.  The 
work,  however,  was  afterwards  only  commenced,  for 
within  a  few  months  after,  the  great  Disposer  of  events  re- 
moved him  from  this  sphere  of  action.  The  statistics  ob- 
tained at  this  General  Conference  showed  a  membership  of 
52,000. 

The  report  of  the  Publishing  Agent  represented  that, 
within  the  pas';  term,  new  printing  material  had  to  be  pur- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


223 


chased,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,  and  that  necessary  improve- 
ments of  the  building  and  premises  had  involved  very  con- 
siderable expense.  Not  to  mention  other  increased  ex- 
penses, our  book,  business  was  impeded  by  the  announce- 
ment of  a  forthcoming  new  compilation  of  hymns,  for 
which  there  was  several  years'  waiting  ;  and  this  rendered 
almost  valueless  the  plates  of  our  previous  hymn-book, 
which  were  yet  in  good  condition,  and  this,  of  course,  was 
now  in  little  demand.  Yet  we  had  a  net  increase  of  more 
than  one  thousand  subscribers  to  the  church  paper,  and  a 
balancing  of  our  business  record  showed  receipts  above  ex- 
penditures during  the  term,  $575.51. 

The  affairs  of  the  publishing  house  were  investigated  by 
committee,  whose  report,  from  the  pen  of  John  Scott, 
reviewed  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Trust,  at  Springfield, 
thus: 

"In  1859,  the  Board  proceeded  to  raise  subscriptions,  purchase 
a  lot,  and  erect  buildings  thereon,  which  subscriptions  were  raised 
in  part  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  and  in  part  from  the  whole 
church,  or  such  portions  of  it  as  were  reached.  The  committee  find 
that  the  Board  of  Trust  received  from  the  Baltimore  concern 
$2,300;  from  the  city  of  Springfield,  $1,500;  from  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference, outside  of  Springfield,  $5,940;  for  book  bindery  (chiefly 
in  Ohio  Conference),  $3,500;  from  other  Conferences,  $3,000; 
making  in  all,  $16,260  for  buildings,  presses  and  other  purposes. 
The  committee  are  gratified  with  the  exhibit  of  the  Publishing 
Agent,  and  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  which 
show  that  the  business  of  the  concern  has  been  so  conducted  as  to 
not  only  meet  current  expenses,  but  also  to  leave  a  small  balance  in 
the  Treasury.  It  appears  also  that  the  property  held  by  the  Board 
for  the  church  has  steadily  increased  in  value,  and  is  now  worth 
from  two  to  three  times  its  original  cost.  The  assets  of  the  con- 
cern are  estimated  at  $23,500,  while  its  liabilities  are  given  as  being 
but  $700." 

A  majority  of  the  committee  recommended  the  removal 
of  the  Book  Concern  to  some  other  locality,  forasmuch  as 
Springfield  is  an  interior  city,  and  does  not  possess  so  great 


224 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


advantages  for  a  successful  publishing  business  as  a  larger 
commercial  city.  A  minority  report,  dissenting,  was  pre- 
sented, but  the  proposition  of  the  majority  was  carried,  by 
a  vote  of  28  to  26,  and  Pittsburgh  was  selected  as  the  place 
to  which  the  business  should  be  removed. 

The  Conference  voted  unqualified  approval  of  the  edi- 
torial service  of  John  Scott  and  Alexander  Clark,  and  of 
the  business  management  of  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  the  Pub- 
lishing Agent.  The  two  last  named  incumbents,  respec- 
tively, were  re-elected  for  another  term  of  office. 

The  following  were  elected  to  serve  as  the  new  Board 
of  Publication  at  Pittsburgh:  I.  W.  McKeever,  William 
Morrison,  William  Collier,  William  J.  Troth,  John  Burns,  R. 
H.  Marshall,  William  Rinehart.  Brothers  Morrison  and 
Marshall  declined  to  serve,  and  J.  J.  Gillespie  and  John  Croft 
were  afterwards  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancies.  But  it  was 
ordered  that  the  old  Board  of  Publication,  and  its  Execu- 
tive Committee,  at  Springfield,  should  continue  in  office 
until  the  removal  of  the  Book  Concern  to  Pittsburgh,  which 
was  to  take  place  in  the  ensuing  month  of  October. 

The  order  for  the  removal  of  the  Book  Concern  was  re- 
garded with  regret  at  Springfield,  and  throughout  the  Ohio- 
Conference,  where  so  much  had  been  contributed  to  build 
it  up,  and  where  it  was  in  successful  operation,  unincum- 
bered with  indebtedness.  But  the  disappointment  was 
amicably  submitted  to  ;  and  the  Ohio  Conference,  at  its 
next  session,  voted  to  accept  the  situation,  and  to  continue 
all  possible  encouragement  and  aid  to  the  publishing  inter- 
ests, at  the  new  locality. 

Business  was  conducted,  and  papers  were  issued  regu- 
larly at  Springfield,  to  the  time  ordered  for  the  transfer  to> 
Pittsburgh.  The  responsibilities  of  the  sudden  winding  up 
of  a  business  of  over  sixteen  years  at  Springfield,  the  re- 
moval, and  opening  out  in  a  new  locality,  a  great  city, 
under  embarrassing  disadvantages,  proved  very  oppressive 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


225 


upon  the  Publishing  Agent.  His  colleague,  the  editor,  had 
accepted  leave  of  absence,  about  the  middle  of  September, 
to  spend  three  months  at  San  Francisco,  Cab,  in  view  of 
the  improvement  of  his  health,  from  which  place  he  re- 
turned to  Pittsburgh  just  at  the  ending  of  the  year  1S71. 
The  last  issue  of  the  Methodist  Recorder  at  Springfield,  bore 
date  October  25th,  1871,  and  contained  the  announcement 
of  the  death  of  a  venerable  former  editor,  George  Brown, 
which  took  place  on  said  date.  Immediately  after  the  sad 
rites  of  this  occasion,  our  goods,  including  printing  appa- 
ratus were  shipped  by  railroad  to  their  destination.  But 
the  railroad  service  was,  at  the  time,  so  overcrowded,  ow- 
ing to  the  suspension  of  navigation,  that,  for  more  than  a 
week,  we  were  kept  in  waiting  for  our  goods,  and  our 
printers  standing  idle,  unable  to  reach  their  types.  And 
then  the  rented  apartments,  at  first  procured,  were  inade- 
quate for  our  work.  Our  first  issue  at  Pittsburgh  was  dated 
November  15th,  and  for  a  number  of  weeks  it  was  impos- 
sible to  effect  arrangements  for  having  our  issues  in  good 
time.  We  were  not  enabled  to  issue  the  new  hymn-book 
until  in  March,  1872. 

Here  let  it  be  mentioned  that  William  R.  Calhoon, 
printer,  officiated  in  the  removal  of  the  office  and  printing 
material  to  Pittsburgh,  in  187 1,  as  he  had  done  in  the  re- 
moval from  Zanesville  to  Springfield,  in  1855.  He  had 
entered  the  office,  when  a  youth,  in  1845,  when  under  the 
charge  of  the  author  of  this  work  ;  and  he  has  been  with 
it,  in  all  its  changes,  save  one  or  two  intervals  of  absence. 
And  at  the  time  of  this  writing,  he  is  on  hand,  as  the  "old 
reliable,"  in  charge  of  the  Methodist  Recorder  printing 
office,  under  Brothers  Robison  and  Clark. 

On  the  first  day  after  his  arrival  in  Pittsburgh,  the  Pub- 
lishing Asent  experienced  an  attack  of  a  disease  from  which 
he  did  not  f  r.d  fu  1  relief  during  his  entire  stay  in  that  city. 

Having  seen  our  business  and  effects  successfully  trans- 
p 


226 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ferred  to  Pittsburgh,  and  having  now  seen  its  chief  difficul- 
ties overcome,  and  the  new  career  somewhat  fairly  com- 
menced, under  the  new  Board,  in  the  new  headquarters, 
on  February  7th,  1872,  he  tendered  his  resignation  to  the 
Board  of  Publication.  The  Board  afterwards  elected  James 
Robison,  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  a  man  of  tried  in- 
tegrity and  business  capacity,  to  fill  the  vacancy.  But,  by 
reason  of  engagements  in  the  pastoral  relation,  he  was  not 
at  liberty  to  take  charge  of  the  business  until  July  1st, 
when  the  former  incumbent  gladly  gave  place  to  him,  with 
sincerest  prayers  for  his  success. 

For  the  period  of  a  year  or  more  from  the  removal,  the 
change  of  our  business  from  an  interior  city  involved  a 
large  increase  of  expenses.  But  about  May,  1873,  the 
Trustees  and  church  of  Fifth  Avenue  had  the  generous  im- 
pulse to  appropriate  their- parsonage  property,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  a  publishing  house,  on  very  favorable  terms.  And 
after  the  very  considerable  expense  of  reconstructing  and 
fitting  up  the  building,  the  new  agent  was  enabled  greatly 
to  reduce  the  expenses  of  the  business. 

On  September  20th,  1874,  a  very  interesting  memorial 
service  was  held  in  the  Sixth  Street  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  Cincinnati.  The  building  had  been  in  the  service 
for  over  forty-five  years.  In  it  had  been  held  many  Con- 
ferences and  Conventions.  It  had  been  the  scene  of  many 
revivals,  and  more  than  ten  thousand  religious  assemblages. 
But  the  society  had  yielded  to  the  whelming  tide  of  busi- 
ness, and  the  changes  of  population,  and  had  determined 
to  dispose  of  the  property,  and  thenceforth  occupy  instead  a 
church  in  George  street,  to  be  newly  fitted  up  and  improved. 
This  was  now  the  last  public  service  held  in  the  old  build- 
ing. Present  were  as  many  of  the  surviving  original  mem- 
bers as  could  be  convened.  Of  the  number  was  Shadford 
Easton,  a  valued  friend  of  the  author  for  half  a  century, 
and  long  a  pillar  of  the  church.    James  G.  Evans,  of 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


227 


Springfield,  a  gifted  layman,  who  had  formerly  been  long 
connected  with  the  Sixth  Street  Church,  eldest  son  of  the 
late  William  B.  Evans,  delivered  on  the  occasion  an  inter- 
esting historical  address.  He  gave  a  list  of  all  the  pastors 
who  had  served  in  this  church,  twelve  of  whom  were  still 
living,  and  seventeen  had  deceased.  Two  of  the  twelve, 
however,  have  since  died.  And,  within  eight  months 
thereafter,  the  speaker  himself  was  called  to  join  the  church 
triumphant.  The  pastor,  John  Scott,  concluded  the  services 
in  an  impressive  manner,  after  first  performing  the  rite  of 
baptism  for  the  last  time  in  the  old  sanctuary. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  PRINCETON,  ILLINOIS,  1875. 

THE  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church  con- 
vened at  Princeton,  111.,  May  19th,  1875.  Ninety- 
two  representatives  were  present,  from  twenty-three  Annual 
Conferences.  This  was  a  larger  attendance  than  was  had 
at  any  previous  General  Conference  within  our  history. 
Brethren  came  from  great  distances;  as,  for  the  first  time  at 
a  General  Conference,  one  from  Oregon,  B.  N.  Longsworth  ; 
three  from  North  Carolina,  and  a  Fraternal  Messenger  from 
Lynchburg,  Va.  John  Burns,  of  Muskingum  Conference, 
was  elected  President,  and  George  B.  McElroy,  Ancel  H. 
Bassett  and  Cornelius  S.  Evans  Secretaries.  During  the 
session,  A.  H.  Widney  published  a  small  daily  paper,  the 
Daily  Recorder,  with  abstract  of  proceedings. 

Various  questions  of  church  discipline  were  distributed 
to  standing  committees  for  consideration  and  disposal. 

William  Collier,  President  of  the  Board  of  Missions, 
was  present  and  made  report  in  person.  By  order  of  the 
Conference,  this  Board  was  changed  from  Pittsburgh  to 
Springfield,  Ohio,  and  a  new  Board  constituted,  composed 
of  the  following  persons:  Reuben  Rose,  Cornelius  S.  Evans, 
Thomas  J.  Finch,  Joel  S.  Thrap,  William  Collier,  Hugh 
Stackhouse,  C.  R.  Underwood,  Thomas  B.  Graham,  James- 
M.  Johnson.  Charles  H.  Williams  was  re-elected  Corre- 
sponding Secretary. 

The  exhibit  of  the  affairs  of  Adrian  College  was  quite 
satisfactory  and  encouraging.    During  the  past  term,  Na- 
than R.  Swift  had  served  as  General  Agent  for  the  institu- 
228 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH.  229 


tion,  assisted  by  James  B.  Walker  and  Joel  S.  Thrap.  Dr. 
Asa  Mahan  having,  since  last  General  Conference,  resigned 
his  position  as  President  of  the  College,  Reuel  Hanks,  of 
New  York  Conference,  had  been  chosen  by  the  Board  to 
fill  the  office,  but  he  finally  declined  to  accept  the  position. 
George  B.  McElroy,  the  present  honored  incumbent,  was 
then  chosen  by  the  Board  to  serve  as  President.  The  Gen- 
eral Conference  elected  fifteen  persons  as  Trustees,  to  sup- 
ply places  of  a  like  number  whose  time  had  expired. 

The  Board  of  Ministerial  Education  was  continued  at 
Pittsburgh,  and  the  following  persons  were  elected  to  com- 
pose the  Board:  David  Jones,  Joseph  L.  Simpson,  William 
R.  Cowl,  John  H.  Claney,  William  K.  Gillespie,  John 
Munden.  James  B.  Walker  was  re-elected  Corresponding 
Secretary,  and  is  exofficio  a  member  of  the  Board.  This 
Association  already  shows  a  very  useful  record,  a  goodly 
number  of  its  beneficiaries  being  already  engaged  in  the 
active  itinerant  work,  in  various  Conferences ;  and  twelve 
or  more  young  men  of  promise  are  now  receiving  aid  in 
their  preparation  for  the  ministry  in  college. 

The  reports  of  the  Publishing  Agent,  Brother  Robison, 
and  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  presented  an  encouraging 
view  of  the  state  of  our  publishing  enterprise.  Some  heavy 
expenses  had  to  be  overcome;  as,  stereotyping  the  hymn- 
book,  including  also  a  pulpit  edition,  $2,287;  reconstruct- 
ing and  improving  the  Book  Room  property,  $2,583;  a  loss 
of  over  $1,000  in  types,  paper,  and  fixtures,  by  fire,  and 
the  new  expense  now  placed  upon  all  publishers,  by  con- 
gressional law,  the  prepayment  of  postage  on  all  papers 
issued.  But  the  subscription  list  of  the  Mctlwdist  Recorder 
stood  higher  in  its  number  than  at  any  previous  period 
(though  many  subscribers  were  in  arrears) ;  the  receipts  for 
advertising  had  largely  increased  each  year  since  the 
removal,  while  the  book  sales  had  decidedly  improved. 
The  liberality  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Church,  in  transferring 


230 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


its  parsonage  property,  on  favorable  terms,  was  recorded ; 
also  the  liberality  and  kindness  of  J.  J.  Gillespie,  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  Board,  in  pledging  his  personal  means  and 
credit,  in  the  time  of  extremity  with  the  Agent,  during  the 
panic  of  1873.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  said  church, 
and  to  said  President.  By  a  large  vote,  in  each  case, 
Alexander  Clark  was  re-elected  editor,  and  James  Robison 
Publishing  Agent. 

A  new  General  Board  was  constituted,  called  the  Board 
of  Church  Extension,  located  at  Princeton,  111.  The  fol- 
lowing persons  were  chosen  to  fill  this  Board:  J.  R.  Mul- 
vane,  James  M.  Mayall,  P.  J.  Strong,  T.  Kelley,  Perry  F. 
Remsburgh,  Alexander  H.  Widney,  James  Ross,  William 
H.  Jordan,  George  L.  Taylor.  Alexander  H.  Widney  was 
elected  Corresponding  Secretary  of  this  Board. 

The  following  entry  is  from  the  journal  of  this  General 
Conference : 

"Hon.  C.  W.  Button,  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  a  leading  and 
honored  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  ap- 
peared as  Fraternal  Messenger,  representing  the  General 
Conference  of  that  denomination,  and  addressed  the  Con- 
ference in  words  of  kind  and  tender  greeting.  He  assured 
us  of  a  rapidly  growing  sentiment  in  the  church  he  repre- 
sented, in  favor  of  an  organic  union  between  the  two  bodies. 
He  said  that  they  fondly  cherished  the  hope  that,  ere  long, 
the  divided  stream  may  again  become  one. 

"Wilson  R.  Parsons  responded,  reciprocating  the  kind 
and  Christian  greeting  of  the  address.  He  represented  the 
Methodist  Church  as  in  full  tide  of  progress  towards  re- 
union. Brothers  Thomas  H.  Colhouer  and  John  Scott  also 
responded  appropriately." 

In  accordance  with  the  above,  the  Conference  adopted 
the  following  expression,  from  its  Committee  on  Methodistic 
Union : 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


231 


"Inasmuch  as  the  cause  for  suspension  of  official  relations  by  the 
Conferences  of  the  North,  now  represented  in  this  General  Confer- 
ence, is  now  entirely  removed  by  the  providence  of  God;  and  the 
suspension  having  from  the  first  been  declared  to  be  only  contingent 
upon  the  continuance  of  the  cause  complained  of ;  and, 

"Whereas,  Furthermore,  the  General  Conference  in  the  South, 
assembled  at  Lynchburg,  May,  1874,  did,  in  accordance  with  mu- 
tual advances  for  reunion,  elect  nine  Commissioners,  to  meet  nine 
co-ordinate  Commissioners,  expected  to  be  appointed  by  this  Gen- 
eral Conference,  now  in  session,  to  deliberate  together,  and  devise 
plans  for  reunion,  alike  honorable  and  desirable  to  each;  therefore 
this  committee  unanimously  recommends  the  election  of  nine  per- 
sons as  Commissioners  for  said  purpose. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  cordially  welcome  to  our  Conference  brother 
C.  W.  Button,  of  Lynchburg,  Ya.,  whose  message  to  us  has  been  so 
intelligent,  cordial,  and  fraternal,  that  he  shall  be  remembered  as 
an  agent  of  grace  while  in  our  midst." 

Commissioners  were  appointed,  under  the  above  order, 
as  follows:  John  Burns,  Joseph  J.  Smith,  Thomas  J. 
Finch,  Francis  H.  Pierpont,  J.  J.  Gillespie,  Elias  A. 
Wheat,  Perry  F.  Remsburgh,  Alexander  Clark,  George  B. 
McElroy. 

During  the  session,  the  General  Conference  was  visited 
by  William  Hunter,  D.  D.,  editor  of  the  Pittsburgh  Chris- 
tian Advocate,  Fraternal  Messenger  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Be- 
sides, the  venerable  senior  bishop  (Janes),  of  the  same 
church,  also  made  us  a  visit,  which  he  stated  was  voluntary 
and  unofficial,  as  he  came  not  under  regular  appointment. 
But  upon  invitation,  he  delivered,  on  May  25th,  a  pleasant 
address,  of  about  an  hour,  before  the  Conference,  replete 
with  words  of  kind  feeling,  and  distinctly  favoring  organic 
union  for  all  branches  of  Methodism.  President  Burns, 
and  brothers  Alexander  Clark  and  John  Scott  delivered 
brief  impromptu  responses,  duly  reciprocating  the  kindly 
sentiments  expressed  by  the  bishop. 


28  -2 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


For  Friday  morning,  the  28th,  we  have  this  entry  in  the 
journal  of  the  General  Conference: 

"At  10  a.  M.  the  hour  was  devoted  to  the  presentation 
and  address  of  Rev.  William  Hunter,  and  responses  thereto. 
Dr.  Hunter  addressed  the  Conference,  in  the  kind  spirit 
which  belongs  to  his  nature.  He  showed  that  the  tenden- 
cies of  the  times  are  all  looking  towards  a  unifying  of  all 
the  members  of  the  Methodist  family.  Two  legitimate  but 
distinct  Methodist  bodies,  he  thought,  can  not  occupy  the 
same  territory  without  friction;  hence  the  need  of  union. 
He  accorded  all  charity  and  Christian  confidence  to  those 
of  the  minor  branches;  and  kindly  gave  notice  that  the 
latch-string  of  the  old  homestead  is  hanging  out,  for  all  dis- 
posed to  enter. 

"Ancel  H.  Bassett  responded  to  the  address,  recipro- 
cating its  expressions  of  Christian  sympathy  and  good-will. 
He  briefly  sketched  the  circumstances  that  ultimated  in  the 
organization  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  delicately 
referring  to  the  expulsions  of  1828,  at  Cincinnati,  which 
necessitated  the  secession,  he  having  been  a  witness  of  the 
proceedings.  In  this  light,  he  regarded  our  organization  as 
a  providential  necessity,  and  considered  that  we  owe  no 
apology  for  our  distinct  denominational  existence.  Our 
church,  he  claimed,  is  a  child  of  Providence;  and  our  mis- 
sion, he  held,  has  not  yet  run  out.  He  congratulated  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  that  they  had  introduced  lay 
delegation  into  their  General  Conference,  thus  conceding 
the  great  principle  for  which  we  have  ever  contended;  and 
he  expressed  the  hope  that  the  day  is  not  distant  when  they 
will  introduce  lay  representation  into  the  Annual  as  well  as 
General  Conferences. 

'■Rev.  John  Cowl,  in  kind  and  generous  words,  greeted 
the  messenger.  We  do  not,  he  said,  intend  that  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  shall  to-day  excel  us  in  love,  or  in 
any  of  the  elements  constituting  a  true  Christian  manhood. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


233 


We  will  have  no  serious  strife  with  a  sister  denomination. 
With  them  we  are  one  in  striving  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  and 
promoting  all  the  interests  of  His  kingdom.  The  speaker, 
in  closing,  led  the  Conference  in  singing  the  spiritual  song, 
originated  by  Dr.  Hunter,  commencing, 

"'Joyfully,  joyfully,  onward  we  move.'"* 

Subsequently,  on  motion  of  Wilson  R.  Parsons,  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  while  we  are  very  grateful  for  the  kindly  senti- 
ments and  Christian  courtesy  extended  to  the  Methodist  Church, 
by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  it  is  our  firm  and  unalterable 
conviction  that  the  Methodist  Church  has  a  providential  mission, 
and  that  we  deem  it  our  bounden  duty  to  adhere  to  our  distinctive 
organization,  till  our  principles  of  church  government  are  fully 
recognized  by  the  world." 

As  the  life  of  George  Brown  was  not  spared  to  complete 
the  volume  of  sermons  contemplated  at  last  General  Con- 
ference, resolutions  were  passed,  requesting  John  Scott  to 
collect  what  would  prove  valuable  of  his  posthumous  pa- 
pers, and  prepare  the  same  for  publication,  with  the  leading 
facts  of  his  life. 

The  following,  introduced  by  Brother  Scott,  was  adopted: 

"  Resolved,  That  this  General  Conference,  in  view  of  the  felt 
want  of  a  reliable  history  of  our  church  from  its  beginning,  most 
respectfully  request  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  who  largely  has  the  materials 
at  hand,  and  whose  knowledge  of  our  history  is,  perhaps,  greater 
than  that  of  any  other  living  man,  to  prepare  such  a  work  at  his  ear- 

*Both  those  venerable  visitants  at  this  General  Conference, 
Bishop  Janes  and  Dr.  Hunter,  have  since  been  called  to  rest  from 
their  labors.  Bishop  Kdmond  S.  Janes,  senior  bishop  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  died  in  New  York  City,  September  18th, 
1876,  in  his  seventieth  year.  William  Hunter,  D.  D.,  formerly 
editor  of  the  Pittsburgh  Christian  Advocate,  but  since  Presiding  Elder 
of  Cleveland  District,  died  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  October  18th,  1877, 
in  his  sixty-seventh  year.  They  were  both  esteemed  as  eminently 
useful  men. 


234 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


liest  convenience,  and  either  publish  the  same,  or  arrange  with  the 
Board  of  Publication  to  do  so." 

The  following  resolutions,  offered  by  John  Scott,  declara- 
tive of  the  status  of  our  church,  were  adopted: 

"  Resolved,  That  all  the  changes  which  were  made  by  the  General 
Conference  which  met  at  Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  in  November,  1866, 
in  the  Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  including  the  change  of  name,  from  'Methodist  Protestant' 
to  'Methodist,'  were  made  in  a  strictly  legal  and  constitutional  way, 
the  said  General  Conference  having  been  clothed  with  conventional 
powers,  by  the  requisite  number  of  Annual  Conferences,  according 
to  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  for  said  purpose. 

"Resolved,  That  the  acceptance  of  the  Discipline  of  the  Church, 
as  thus  amended  by  the  various  bodies  represented  in  the  General 
Conference,  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  May,  1867,  was  not  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  new  body,  but  the  union  of  other  elements  with  the 
Methodist  Church,  whose  Constitution  and  Discipline  they  sub- 
stantially adopted  ;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  the  Methodist  Church  is  not  a  new  organiza- 
tion, dating  its  existence  from  the  General  Conference  held  in  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  in  May,  1867,  but  that  it  is  substantially  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  in  all  that  is  essential  to  its  identity,  the  name 
having  been  changed  in  a  legal  and  constitutional  manner." 

The  statistics  collected  at  the  General  Conference  ex- 
hibit a  membership  of  53,400,  so  far  as  obtained. 

Thomas  J.  Finch,  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  was  appointed 
Treasurer  of  General  Conference  funds.  Each  Annual 
Conference  was  requested  to  pay  over  to  said  Treasurer, 
annually,  out  of  a  General  Conference  collection,  the  sum 
of  one-half  cent  per  member  in  the  District.  The  amount 
to  be  applied  to  defraying  expenses  of  Commissioners  and 
others,  in  carrying  out  the  requirements  of  the  General 
Conference.  Any  funds  remaining  over,  to  be  subject  to 
the  disposal  of  the  General  Conference. 

On  motion  of  S.  H.  Flood,  of  Indiana,  the  Commis- 
sioners, now  appointed,  were  precluded  from  entering  into 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


235 


any  arrangement  with  the  Commissioners  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  to  consummate  the  union,  without  their 
action  being  subject  to  approval  or  rejection  by  the  next 
General  Conference. 

William  H.  Jordan,  the  devoted  pastor  of  the  church  in 
which  were  held  the  sessions  of  the  General  Conference, 
by  leave,  made  a  statement  of  the  history  of  the  church, 
and  its  present  embarrassments,  and  made  an  effective 
appeal  to  the  Conference  and  the  community  for  the  relief 
of  the  society.  A  committee  was  appointed,  and  resolu- 
tions adopted,  extending  sympathy  and  aid.  In  pursuance 
of  same  object,  W.  H.  Immke,  a  photographer,  executed  a 
fine  group,  embracing  pictures  of  ninety-seven  persons  who 
were  in  attendance.  Many  copies  were  sold,  throughout 
the  country,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Princeton  Church. 


CHAPTER  XL. 


ACTION  OF  THE  UNION  COMMISSION,   1875,  AND  RESPONSE  OF  THE 
CHURCHES  AND  CONFERENCES. 

THE  General  Conferences,  respectively,  of  the  Method- 
ist Protestant  Church  and  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
having  each  appointed  nine  Commissioners,  to  confer  to- 
gether and  agree  upon  a  Basis  of  Union  of  the  two  churches, 
a  meeting  of  said  Commissioners  was  held  at  the  First 
Church,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  on  Friday,  October  226.,  187.5. 

The  two  Boards  met  in  joint  organization.  Lawrence 
W.  Bates,  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  was  elected 
President,  and  George  B.  McElroy,  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  Secretary.  Seven  of  the  nine  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed for  the  former  church,  namely,  Lawrence  W.  Bates, 
S.  B.  Southerland,  B.  F.  Duggan,  R.  H.  Wills,  Will- 
iam M.  Betts,  ministers;  O.  Hammond,  William  Vander- 
vort,  laymen,  and  the  entire  nine  appointed  for  the  Methodist 
Church  were  in  attendance,  namely,  John  Burns,  Joseph  J. 
Smith,  Elias  A.  Wheat,  Alexander  Clark,  George  B.  Mc- 
Elroy, ministers;  Perry  F.  Remsburgh,  J.  J.  Gillespie, 
Thomas  J.  Finch,  Francis  H.  Pierpoint,  laymen.  A  sub- 
committee, which  was  appointed,  went  through  the  two  Dis- 
ciplines, and  reported  to  the  Board  modifications  of  each, 
in  view  of  producing  one  for  joint  adoption.  The  Joint 
Commission  continued  in  session  till  the  ensuing  Monday 
evening,  and  closed  its  labors  harmoniously,  having  agreed 
upon  a  Basis  of  Union,  to  be  published  in  the  Methodist 
Protestant  and  in  the  Mctliodist  Reco?-der.  The  Commission- 
236 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


237 


ers  recommended  that  a  Convention  of  each  church  be 
called  to  sit  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  on  the  second 
Friday  of  May,  1877. 

ACTION  OF  THE  CONFERENCES — THE  RESULT. 

All  the  Annual  Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
twenty-one  in  number,  at  their  sessions,  severally,  during 
the  year  1876,  took  action,  concurring  in  the  Basis  adopted 
by  the  Commissioners,  and  elected  representatives  to  the 
proposed  Convention  at  Baltimore. 

In  the  Methodist  Protestant  of  December  30th,  1876, 
the  editor,  Dr.  E.  T.  Drinkhouse,  announced  having  received 
official  notice  that  the  twenty  Annual  Conferences  recog- 
nized in  the  Methodist  Protestant  Discipline,  had  voted  on 
the  call  of  the  Convention,  with  the  following  result: 
Affirmative,  16;  negative,  4.  Yet  all  the  Conferences  vot- 
ing negatively,  notwithstanding,  had  elected  full  delegations. 

An  unfortunate  estrangement,  however,  which  took  place 
in  North  Carolina,  during  the  late  civil  war,  had  resulted  in 
a  complication  which  was  left  to  be  settled  by  the  Conven- 
tions. The  North  Carolina  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  instructed  its  representatives  in  Conven- 
tion to  use  their  best  efforts  to  procure  a  provision  that  said 
Conference  shall  have  the  right  to  receive  or  reject,  by  vote, 
any  ministers  or  preachers  who  may  be  members  of  the  two 
Conferences  within  the  State,  now  recognized  by  the  Meth- 
odist Church. 

Responsive  to  this  demand,  the  Western  North  Carolina 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church,  voted  to  concur  in 
the  proposed  union,  upon  the  "only  condition,  that  we  en- 
ter into  the  union  upon  equal  terms,  and  equal  privileges, 
with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina District."  The  Eastern  North  Carolina  Conference 
adopted  a  similar  expression. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


FRATERNAL  VISITATIONS  AND  RECOGNITIONS  ABROAD. 

IN  MAY,  1876,  the  two  branches  of  our  denomination 
were  faithfully  and  creditably  represented  by  visiting 
messengers,  before  the  General  Conference  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  Their  efforts 
seem  to  have  been  in  each  case  successful.  They  met  with 
the  most  courteous  attention  and  appreciative  hearing. 
Alexander  Clark,  editor  of  the  Methodist  Recorder,  repre- 
sented the  Methodist  Church.  The  venerable  senior  bishop 
{Janes)  presiding,  very  affably  opened  the  way  for  his 
reception  before  the  body.  Pressing  business  was  deferred, 
at  an  inconvenient  hour,  in  deference  to  him  and  his  mes- 
sage. An  address,  prepared  by  Drs.  Scott  and  Cowl,  who 
were  providentially  prevented  from  coming  as  messengers, 
was  first  read,  while  its  sentiments  were  received  with  evi- 
dent commendation.  The  messenger,  having  been  intro- 
duced by  Dr.  Lowrie,  addressed  the  Conference  with  all 
freedom.  The  Daily  Christian  Advocate  spoke  of  his  ad- 
dress as  admirable  in  kind,  and  said  it  was  listened  to  with 
great  satisfaction,  and  even  applause.  The  bishop  said: 
"I  can  assure  our  brother  that  the  Conference  will  express, 
by  resolution,  its  appreciation  of  the  manner  in  which  he 
has  performed  his  service  before  it  to-day,  and  also  of  our 
fraternal  interest  in  the  branch  of  Methodism  which  he 
represents." 

It  is  noteworthy  that  on  the  same  day,  May  10th,  but  at 
238 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


239 


an  earlier  hour,  the  venerable  Thomas  McCormick,  then  in 
his  eighty-fifth  year,  and  at  the  time  supposed  to  be  the  old- 
est surviving  minister  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
was  presented  to  the  Conference,  and  was  invited  by  the 
bishops  to  a  seat  with  them  upon  the  platform.  This  cir- 
cumstance is  remarkable,  for  the  reason  following  :  Father 
McCormick  is  the  last  surviving  one  of  eleven  local  minis- 
ters, expelled  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  Bal- 
timore, in  1827,  for  their  participation  in  the  cause  of  re- 
form. The  edict  of  his  expulsion  was  confirmed  by  the 
General  Conference  in  1828,  and  that  act  has  never  been 
reconsidered.  He  has  never  repented  nor  retracted,  but 
he  is  as  firm  in  his  views  as  he  was  half  a  century  ago. 

On  the  ensuing  day  (May  nth),  S.  B.  Southerland  and 
Charles  W.  Button  were  received  and  listened  to  as  repre- 
sentatives of  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church.  Dr.  Braden,  in  presenting  them,  which 
he  did  in  highly  complimentary  terms,  spoke  of  their  de- 
nomination as  "the  pioneers  in  the  introduction  of  the  lay 
element  into  the  Conferences,  and  the  highest  judicatories  of 
the  church."  The  venerable  presiding  bishop  (Janes)  most 
courteously  introduced  them  to  the  Conference,  and  opened 
the  way  for  each  to  address  the  assembly. 

In  the  course  of  an  able  and  somewhat  lengthy  address, 
Dr.  Southerland  said : 

"Nearly  fifty  years  ago,  your  people  and  ours  had  some  words, 
and  parted.  The  words  were  bitter  and  sharp,  and  the  parting  was 
sad  and  distressing.  Very  many  of  the  participants  in  the  scenes 
of  sadness  to  which  I  refer  have  passed  from  earth.  On  our  side, 
the  survivors  are  few  ;  and  so  far  as  I  know  them,  they  have  brought 
down  their  long  journey  of  lapsing  years  no  bitter  remembrances. 
For  the  most  part,  the  present  membersh  p  of  your  church  and  of 
ours,  can  only  have  historical  knowledge  of  the  causes  which  pro- 
duced the  separation.  I  presume  that  '.lie  larger  part  of  this  Gen- 
eral Conference  is  in  this  category,  as  I  am  also." 


240 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Brother  Button  also  addressed  the  assembly,  in  his  ac- 
customed happy  vein  of  sentiment.  Among  other  good 
things,  he  said : 

"It  was  my  happiness,  a  twelve  month  ago,  to  meet,  away  out 
in  the  center  of  the  Prairie  State,  your  senior  bishop,  who,  like  my- 
self, was  on  a  fraternal  mission  to  a  younger  branch  of  our  family 
than  even  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  I  know  how  kindly 
he  was  greeted,  and  how  warmly  his  visit  and  his  message  were  re- 
ceived by  these  non-Episcopal  Methodists.  Those  who  have  more 
right  to  speak  for  them  than  I  have  (Alexander  Clark)  gave  you 
such  assurance  yesterday,  and  told  you  also  that  there  is  a  growing 
prospect  of  a  reunion  of  that  body  with  ours,  from  which  it  sepa- 
rated upon  the  same  issue,  now  obsolete,  which  rent  you  in  twain, 
in  1844.  Both  they  and  we  have  pretty  much  come  to  the  very 
rational  conclusion  that  a  statute  of  limitation  should  apply,  and 
that  the  effect  ought  not  to  continue  so  long  after  the  cause  itself  has 
ceased.  May  I  not  indulge  the  hope  that  our  reunion,  if  in  the 
providence  of  God  it  shall  be  secured,  may  prove  to  be  the  augury 
of  your  reunion,  North  and  South  ;  and  that  henceforth  all  friction, 
strife,  uncharitableness  and  sectional  asperities,  will  cease  among 
American  Methodists  forever." 

At  the  conclusion,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Whedon,  a  resolu- 
tion was  passed,  expressive  of  the  gratification  and  delight 
of  the  Conference,  in  hearing  from  the  fraternal  delegates 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

On  May  18th,  1876,  Alexander  Clark  sailed  for  Europe, 
in  view  of  visiting  the  several  Conferences  of  British  Meth- 
odists, to  which  he  was  a  duly  appointed  messenger  from 
the  Methodist  Church.*  And  though  he  was  not  directly 
deputed  to  represent  the  Methodist  Protestant  wing  of  the 
denomination,  yet,  in  his  addresses  before  the  several  as- 
semblies, he  took  pains  to  present  also  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church,  as  a  kindred  branch,  and  expressing  the 
strong  probability  of  a  speedy  union  and  consolidation  into 

*'Edward  Sellon,  of  North  Illinois,  had  been  originally  named 
for  this  mission,  but  had  declined  the  service. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


24a 


one.  Both  the  messenger  and  his  message  were  every- 
where treated  with  marked  attention  and  respect. 

On  June  ioth,  he  visited,  and,  by  invitation,  addressed 
the  Conference  of  the  Primitive  Methodists,  at  Newcastle- 
upon-Tyne.  He  was  introduced  by  President  Dickinson, 
who  stated  that  this  was  the  first  time  that  the  Primitive 
Methodist  Church  had  been  visited  officially  by  any  branch 
of  Methodism  in  America.  At  the  appointed  hour,  the 
audience  room  was  crowded,  galleries  and  aisles  full.  Be- 
fore the  messenger  had  spoken  a  word,  he  was  welcomed 
with  applause,  and  tears  and  shouts  of  happy  greeting. 
He  was  kindly  heard,  in  a  lengthy  address,  which  was  fre- 
quently applauded.  A  cordial  response  was  made  by  Sam- 
uel Antliff,  a  leading  minister.  The  exercises  occupied 
nearly  two  hours.  The  Conference  adopted  a  vote  of 
thanks  for  the  address,  and  an  expression  of  kindly  sympa- 
thy towards  the  sister  Methodist  branch  in  America  repre- 
sented. 

He  next  visited  the  Conference  of  the  New  Connexion 
Methodists,  at  Dewsbury,  England,  on  June  15th.  This  is 
a  very  dignified  body,  composed  mostly  of  highly  educated 
men.  The  venerable  minister,  S.  Hulme,  who  introduced 
our  messenger,  said  : 

"We  welcome  him  the  more  cordially  because  he  represents  the 
Northern  section,  which  supported  the  honor  of  the  denomination 
in  the  terrible  struggle  for  the  overthrow  of  slavery.  I  take  pleas- 
ure in  introducing  a  representative  from  a  church  that  stood  by  the 
cause  of  equal  rights  to  all  men;  for  that  people  are  our  kindred, 
and  are  entitled  to  our  esteem  and  love.': 

During  the  address  of  Mr.  Clark,  which  fills  five  col- 
umns of  fhe, Methodist  Recorder,  he  was  greeted  by  frequent 
applause.  Dr.  Stacy  responded  in  an  enthusiastic  address, 
followed  by  several  others.  A  complimentary  resolution 
was  adopted,  expressing  to  the  messenger,  and  to  the  church 


242 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


which  he  represents,  ''sincere  and  fervent  affection  and  es- 
teem." 

During  the  same  month,  the  Irish  Wesleyan  Conference 
held  its  session  at  Dublin.  Brother  Clark,  not  finding  it 
practicable  to  reach  there  at  the  time,  addressed  to  the 
Conference  a  fraternal  letter,  dated  at  London,  June  20th. 
The  address  was  received  and  treated  with  due  considera- 
tion, and  a  fraternal  response  was  returned  through  the 
Secretary.  Herein  our  church  was  complimented  for  its 
"noble  stand,"  heretofore  taken  in  opposition  to  slavery, 
and  congratulated  that  principle  and  right  have  triumphed 
in  the  overthrow  of  the  great  iniquity.  It  was  added : 
''You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  we  have  matured  and 
adopted  a  plan  of  lay  representation  in  the  Conference, 
which  we  believe  will  give  general  satisfaction." 

On  July  26th,  1876,  the  Annual  Conference  of  the 
United  Methodist  Free  Churches  of  England  met  at  Shef- 
field. On  the  ensuing  day,  our  representative  was  intro- 
duced to  the  assembly,  and  delivered  an  extended  address 
of  greeting  from  our  branch  of  American  Methodism. 
This  was  received  with  cordiality  and  enthusiasm,  and  was 
listened  to  with  profound  attention.  So  says  the  Magazine 
of  that  people,  in  which  it  is  published  in  full.  Several 
leading  ministers  delivered  complimentary  responses,  and  a 
resolution  was  adopted,  welcoming  the  messenger,  recipro- 
cating his  fraternal  sentiments,  and  expressing  regards  and 
prayers  for  the  denomination  he  represents. 

On  July  29th,  our  messenger  visited  the  old  parent  body, 
the  British  Wesleyan  Conference,  at  Nottingham,  England. 
He  met  a  courteous  reception,  and  delivered  an  address, 
which  is  published  in  the  London  Watchman.  That  journal 
adds  :  "Dr.  Rigg  replied  to  the  address,  in  appropriate 
and  eloquent  terms,  reciprocating  the  sentiments  so  beauti- 
fully expressed  by  Dr.  Clark." 

The  Annual  Conference  of  the  Bible  Christians  of  En- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


243 


gland  was  holding  its  session  at  St.  Austell,  simultaneously 
with  the  sessions  of  two  of  the  other  bodies  above  named. 
It  being  impracticable  to  reach  that  Conference,  our  mes- 
senger addressed  to  it  a  fraternal  letter,  which  was  received 
and  treated  with  respectful  and  kindly  consideration.  The 
Bible  Christian  Conference  addressed  a  prompt  reply  to  the 
messenger,  bearing  these,  with  many  other  kind  words  : 

"We  heartily  reciprocate  the  fraternal  greeting  yon  have  con- 
veyed to  us,  and  unfeignedly  rejoice  in  the  catholic  spirit  mani- 
fested toward  us,  by  our  brethren  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
We  beg  to  assure  those  brethren  that  the  kind  expressions  of  Mr. 
Clark  have  greatly  refreshed  our  spirits.  We  affectionately  request 
you,  beloved  brother,  to  convey  to  your  brethren  in  America  a  full 
assurance  of  our  sincere  regard,  and  of  our  earnest  desire  for  your 
prosperity  in  every  field  of  your  operations." 


I 


CHAPTER  XLII. 


GENERAL  CONVENTION    OF   THE   METHODIST    CHURCH,  BALTI- 
MORE, 1877. 

THE  General  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
agreeably  to  appointment,  assembled  at  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  corner  of  Green  and  Lombard  streets, 
Baltimore,  on  May  nth,  1877,  and  was  called  to  order  by 
John  Burns,  the  President  of  last  General  Conference. 

Twenty-two  Annual  Conferences  of  the  Methodist 
Church  had  elected  representatives  to  this  Convention. 
The  number  elected  was  108,  the  number  in  actual  attend- 
ance was  78,  from  seventeen  Annual  Conferences.  In  ac 
cordance  with  action  of  last  General  Conference,  the  Indiana 
and  North  Indiana  Conferences  had  been  united  in  one,  and 
the  Iowa  and  North  Iowa  Conferences  had,  in  like  manner, 
been  consolidated.  Meanwhile  the  small  Conference  in 
Wisconsin  had  been  merged  in  the  North  Illinois  Confer- 
ence. 

Joseph  J.  Smith  was  elected  President,  and  George  B. 
McElroy  Secretary,  and  William  H.  Jordan  and  Cornelius 
S.  Evans  Assistant  Secretaries. 

On  the  same  day  and  hour,  a  similar  Convention  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  was  assembled  in  Aisquith 
Street  Church,  in  same  city.  The  announced  object  of  these 
two  Conventions  was  to  consummate  a  union  between  the 
Methodist  and  the  Methodist  Protestant  Churches.  The 
aggregate  number  of  representatives  in  attendance  in  the 
two  Conventions  was  148. 
244 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


245 


Iii  the  Methodist  Convention  a  difference  of  opinion 
was  developed,  regarding  the  powers  of  the  Convention, 
and  also  as  to  whether  the  Basis  of  Union  should  be  acted 
upon  as  a  whole,  or  considered  seriatim.  But  a  committee, 
having  the  matter  in  charge  reported,  through  Thomas  B. 
Appleget,  of  New  Jersey,  that,  in  their  judgment,  the  Con- 
ferences represented  have  conferred  full  powers  upon  their 
representatives,  not  only  to  effect  the  union,  but  also  to  dis- 
charge all  the  duties  of  a  General  Conference.  After  some 
debate,  this  report  was  adopted. 

A  Committee  of  Conference,  of  seven,  was  appointed  to 
confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Convention,  to  arrange  preliminaries  for  consummating  the 
proposed  union.  John  Burns,  G.  G.  YVestfall,  Samuel  M. 
Lowden,  Elias  A.  Wheat,  Perry  F.  Remsburgh,  Thomas  J. 
Finch  and  A.  Harper  were  appointed.  Information  was  re- 
ceived that  the  Methodist  Protestant  Convention  had  taken 
similar  action. 

In  the  Convention,  on  Saturday  afternoon  (May  12th), 
Ancel  H.  Bassett  presented  the  venerable  Thomas  McCor- 
mick,  of  Baltimore,  the  only  surviving  one  of  the  eleven 
ministers  expelled  as  Reformers  in  this  city  in  1827.  He 
referred  to  the  fact  that  in  1816,  just  sixty-one  years  ago, 
the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
assembled  in  this  city;  that  Bishop  Asbury  died  on  his  way 
to  that  Conference,  that  his  remains  were  brought  on  during 
the  session.  They  were  borne  upon  the  shoulders  of  twelve 
men,  of  whom  Thomas  McCormick  was  one,  for  the  dis- 
tance of  about  a  mile,  to  the  Eutaw  Street  Church,  followed 
by  the  whole  General  Conference,  and  a  large  concourse  of 
citizens,  all  on  foot,  for  they  did  not  in  those  days  use  tas- 
selled  hearses  and  silver-tipped  carriages  for  such  occasions. 
Father  McCormick  is  the  only  surviving  one  of  the  bearers. 
And  as  that  large  General  Conference,  over  three-score  years 
ago,  was  mostly  made  up  of  aged  and  venerable  men,  it  is 


246 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


believed  that  not  one  of  the  whole  party  is  now  living  upon 
earth,  save  our  friend  McCormick,  now  here  present.  One 
year  ago,  in  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  this  same  city,  the  bishops  invited  him  to 
a  seat  with  them  upon  the  platform,  not  regarding  the  fact 
that  he  had  been  expelled  from  the  church,  and  had  not  re- 
pented. 

The  entire  Convention  now  rose  up  to  greet  the  ven- 
erable man,  eager  to  see  and  hear  him,  and  take  him  by 
the  hand.  He  delivered  a  very  sensible  and  feeling  im- 
promptu address,  after  which  the  whole  assembly  broke  out 
in  singing  some  lively  spiritual  songs.  Augustus  Webster, 
a  venerable  patriarch  of  the  Maryland  Conference,  now 
rose  and  made  a  very  pathetic  and  earnest  speech,  in  which 
he  lauded  the  movement  for  reunion  of  the  churches. 

The  Basis  of  Union  was  read  entire,  followed  by  mis- 
cellaneous discussion,  without  taking  definite  action,  out  of 
deference  to  the  Committee  of  Conference.  A  resolution, 
offered  by  Dr.  Scott  and  President  McElroy,  was  adopted, 
commending  the  publication  of  a  history  of  our  church, 
written  by  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  at  the  instance  of  the  last  Gen* 
eral  Conference. 

The  report  of  the  Joint  Committee  of  Conference  was 
submitted,  embracing  the  following  points:  i.  That  the 
Basis  of  Union,  agreed  upon  by  the  Joint  Commission,  be 
adopted,  with  the  interpretation  that  the  condition  of  receiv- 
ing members  into  the  church  be  the  same  as  found  in  the 
new  Methodist  Discipline.  2.  The  item  relating  to  chil- 
dren having  been  inadvertently  omitted  in  the  Basis  as 
published,  to  be  adopted  as  it  appears  in  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Discipline.  3.  The  matter  of  suffrage  and  eli- 
gibility to  office  to  be  left  to  the  Annual  Conferences,  pro- 
vided that  each  Annual  Conference  be  entitled  to  suffrage 
in  the  same  ratio,  and  that  no  act  shall  be  passed  which 


METHODIST   PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


247 


shall  infringe  the  right  of  suffrage  or  eligibility  to  office. 
4.  Committee  recommend  immediate  organic  union  of  the 
two  churches. 

The  report  met  with  opposition  from  Sanford  H.  Flood, 
Hugh  Stackhouse  and  S.  M.  Lowden,  on  the  ground  that 
it  does  not  secure  female  suffrage  throughout  the  connection. 
It  was  by  others  claimed  that  in  some  Districts  this  is  not 
desired,  but  that  the  Conference  can  confer  it  wherever  re- 
quired. John  Scott  indicated  his  accustomed  godly  jeal- 
ousy for  the  rights  of  the  colored  membership.  To  him  it 
seemed  that,  by  the  wording  of  the  third  clause,  that  class 
might  be  disfranchised  by  any  Annual  Conference,  and  yet 
their  numerical  membership  be  represented  in  the  General 
Conference.  He  made  a  forcible  speech  in  opposition  to 
that  portion  of  the  report. 

Elias  A.  Wheat  favored  the  suffrage  clause,  as  such  a 
one  as  was  needful  to  a  church  extending  over  so  wide  and 
diversified  territory  as  would  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  when  reunited.  It  was  something  flexible,  would 
fit  itself  to  every  locality,  spanning  the  ravines,  belting  the 
mountains,  and  reaching  far  down  into  the  valleys.  After 
much  debate  the  report  was  adopted. 

Subsequently,  S.  M.  Lowden  again  opened  discussion 
upon  the  suffrage  clause,  by  offering  a  resolution,  interpret- 
ing the  right  of  suffrage  and  eligibility  to  office  referred  to, 
to  be  the  same  as  is  guaranteed  by  the  civil  government. 
Nathan  R.  Swift  supported  the  resolution  —  thought  the 
matter  should  be  presented  in  more  explicit  form,  that  its 
meaning  be  not  mistaken.  Francis  H.  Pierpoint  regarded 
the  resolution,  as  adopted,  as  implying  exactly  what  the 
resolution  of  Brother  Lowden  called  for.  After  much  de- 
bate, participated  in  by  various  brethren,  on  motion  of 
Thomas  J.  Finch,  the  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table.  A 
resolution  was  next  offered  by  John  Scott,  which  renewed 


248 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  debate,  participated  in  by  brothers  Burns,  Colhouer, 
Parsons,  Kost,  Thrap,  Shedenhelm,  Flood,  and  others.  The 
resolution  was  finally  adopted,  as  follows  : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Convention  that  the  pro- 
vision in  the  article  relative  to  the  right  of  suffrage  and  eligibility 
to  office,  which  reads  as  follows:  'No  rule  shall  be  passed  which 
shall  infringe  the  right  of  suffrage  or  eligibility  to  office,'  means 
that  no  person  who  enjoys  the  right  of  suffrage  and  eligibility  to 
office  in  the  State,  shall  be  deprived  of  these  rights  in  the  church,  if 
he  is  a  member  of  the  same,  but  that  the  Annual  Conferences  re- 
spectively may  confer  these  rights,  if  they  shall  see  fit,  upon  members 
of  the  church  within  their  bounds  who  do  not  enjoy  them  in  the 
State." 

On  motion  of  Joel  S.  Thrap,  a  resolution  was  adopted, 
to  the  effect  that  in  the  consummation  of  the  union,  the 
Methodist  and  the  Methodist  Protestant  bodies,  each,  take 
with  them  all  its  Boards,  Institutions  and  property  belong- 
ing to  the  General  Conferences  represented  in  the  two  Con- 
ventions, or  in  the  Joint  Convention,  and  that  a  committee 
of  three  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  and  make  provision 
for  any  alteration  deemed  necessary  to  secure  uniformity 
and  conformity  to  the  new  conditions  in  all  the  property- 
titles  and  Boards.  Joel  S.  Thrap,  Reuben  Rose,  Francis 
H.  Pierpointwere  appointed  said  committee. 

Adjourned,  sine  die,  with  doxology  and  benediction  by 
Gabriel  Williams,  of  North  Missouri. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 


GENERAL  CONVENTION  OF  THE  METHODIST   PROTESTANT  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE,  1877. 

THE  General  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  assembled  at  the  Aisquith  Street  Church,  on 
the  same  day  and  hour  as  the  Methodist  Convention,  May 
1  ith,  1877.  Twenty  Annual  Conferences  had  chosen  rep- 
resentatives to  this  Convention,  though  but  sixteen  voted 
in  favor  of  it,  four  dissenting.  The  number  of  representa- 
tives elected  was  103.  The  number  in  actual  attendance 
was  71,  from  twelve  Annual  Conferences.  Lawrence  W. 
Bates;  of  Baltimore,  was  called  to  preside  over  the  delib- 
erations of  this  body,  and  M.  L.  Barnett  and  R.  H.  Wills 
were  chosen  Secretaries.  S.  B.  Southerland  made  report 
of  the  action  of  Commissioners  at  Pittsburgh,  and  submitted 
the  Basis  of  Union  for  approval.  Some  dissent  was  ex- 
pressed by  members  who  had  opposed  the  union  move- 
ment. A  Committee  of  Conference,  of  seven,  was  ap- 
pointed to  confer  with  a  like  committee  of  the  Methodist 
Convention.  J.  K.  Nichols,  H.  F.  Zollickoffer,  B.  S.  Bibb, 
William  H.  Wills,  J.  M.  P.  Hickerson,  George  R.  Barr, 
and  W.  Mearns  were  appointed.  The  Joint  Committee 
made  report,  same  as  to  the  other  Convention,  recommend- 
ing the  adoption  of  the  Basis  of  Union.  Members  from 
North  Carolina,  apprehending  difficulties  in  their  State, 
represented  that  the  union  was  not  desirable.  Other  mem- 
bers from  the  same  Conference  sustained  the  proposed 
union,  in  glowing  terms.    After  prolonged   debate,  on 

249 


250 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Wednesday  forenoon,  May  16th,  the  Basis  of  Union  was 
adopted,  by  a  vote  of  60  yeas  to  5  nays. 

The  report  of  a  Committee  of  Arrangements  for  assem- 
bling and  merging  the  two  Conventions,  was  read,  and 
adopted,  as  follows: 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements,  appointed  to  prepare  a  pro- 
gramme of  formal  exercises,  to  be  observed  in  the  assembling  of 
the  two  Conventions  as  one  body,  suggest  the  following  : 

1.  That  the  brethren  of  the  Methodist  Convention  proceed  to 
the  corner  of  Lombard  and  Fremont  streets,  where  the  brethren  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Convention  will  be  in  waiting. 

2.  That  at  the  point  above  named  the  Presidents  of  the  two 
Conventions,  respectively,  will  join  arm  in  arm,  followed  by  the 
Secretaries  in  like  manner  ;  these  to  be  again  followed  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Conventions,  two  by  two,  each  twain  being  of  one  from 
each  body. 

3.  In  this  order  the  procession  will  move  along  Lombard  street 
to  Poppleton  street,  and  down  Poppleton  street  to  Starr  Church. 

4.  On  entering  the  church,  the  officers  will  first  be  seated,  and 
then  the  members,  as  may  be  most  convenient  to  themselves. 

5.  On  being  called  to  order  by  the  President  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Convention,  the  Presidents  of  the  respective  Conventions 
shall  officially  announce  the  action  of  the  Conventions  upon  the 
Basis  of  Union. 

6.  Addresses  by  the  Presidents. 

7.  Doxology. 

8.  One  hour  to  be  occupied  in  voluntary  five-minutes'  speeches 
by  the  members. 

9.  Thirty  minutes  to  be  occupied  in  informal  greetings. 

Hereupon  the  Convention  adjourned,  sine  die.  The 
officers  and  members  then  proceeded,  in  due  order,  to  carry 
out  the  programme. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 


CONSUMMATION  OF  THE  UNION,  AND   PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE 
UNITED  BODY. 

THE  two  Conventions  having  adopted  the  Basis  of 
Union,  met  separately,  for  the  last  time,  on  Wednes- 
day afternoon,  May  16th.  A  joint  committee  had  been 
appointed  to  prepare  a  union  programme.  Acting  upon 
this,  the  two  Conventions,  headed  by  their  respective  Presi- 
dents and  Secretaries,  marched  along  Lombard  street,  one 
from  the  East,  the  other  from  the  West,  to  the  intersection 
of  Fremont  street,  where  they  met,  single  file.  Here,  the 
members  of  the  Methodist  body  joined  arm  in  arm,  two  by 
two,  with  the  Methodist  Protestants,  and  marched  to  the 
Starr  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  on  Poppleton  street. 
Presidents  Bates  and  Smith,  arm  in  arm,  took  the  lead, 
followed  by  the  Secretaries,  and  then  the  entire  body  of  the 
representatives  paired  in  the  same  manner.  The  entire 
line  of  procession  extended  the  distance  of  about  a  block 
and  a  half,  the  process  of  mingling  and  consolidation  attract- 
ing much  attention.  In  the  process,  one  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina brethren,  who  had  voted  against  the  union  and  the 
Basis,  first  and  last,  took  the  arm  of  the  writer.  And  how 
could  we  two  walk  together,  unless  we  were  agreed  ?  At 
once,  we  were  one  in  feeling  and  harmony.  The  united 
body,  with  the  assemblage  of  spectators,  including  many 
devout  citizens  and  divines,  drawn  together  by  a  common 
interest  to  witness  the  scene,  soon  amply  filled  the  church. 
The  Starr  Church  is  so  named  for  its  founder  and  donor, 

251 


232 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  late  Wesley  Starr,  who  had  been  one  of  the  early  Re- 
formers expelled  in  1827,  and  had  proved  an  ardent,  life- 
long friend  of  the  cause  of  Christ  and  of  liberal  Methodism. 
He  died  in  1866,  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-six  years. 

The  Convention  being  called  to  order,  exercises  were 
commenced  with  a  brief  address  from  each  one  of  the  two 
Presidents,  who  sat  side  by  side  on  the  platform.  Presi- 
dent Smith  rejoiced  to  see  this  day,  so  long  prayed  for; 
said  that  thousands  would  rejoice  to  learn  of  the  great  con- 
summation. Let  us  determine,  he  said,  that  from  this  time 
onward,  our  zeal  to  work  for  Christ  and  humanity  shall  be 
intensified.  President  Bates  remarked  that,  in  our  separa- 
tion, there  had  been  less  crimination  and  bitterness  of  feel- 
ing than  ever  attended  a  like  severance  of  relations.  Hence, 
retaining  the  old  respect,  and  confidence,  and  love  towards 
each  other,  we  find  it  easier  to  blend.  "Our  separation," 
he  said,  "has  proven  this  fact :  Divided,  we  were  too  strong 
to  fall;  and  now,  united,  we  must  do  more  than  stand. 
We  should  now  be  a  stronger,  holier  and  more  successful 
church."  He  then  pronounced  the  General  Convention  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  due  organization ;  and 
called  upon  the  assembly  to  rise  and  sing  the  doxology, 
"Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  etc.,  which 
was  done,  with  earnestness  and  enthusiasm. 

An  hour  was  next  to  be  spent  in  reunion  exercises,  con- 
sisting of  voluntary  five-minutes'  addresses.  The  hour  was 
effectively  filled  up,  with  prompt,  energetic,  brief,  and 
mostly  joyous  speeches.  Of  those  who  spoke  were  broth- 
ers Clark,  Colhouer  and  Westfall,  of  Pittsburgh;  Souther- 
Jand,  D.  W.  Bates  and  Smith,  of  Maryland;  Williams,  of 
West  Michigan;  Williams,  of  North  Missouri;  Duggan,  of 
Tennessee;  Hickerson,  of  Louisiana;  Flood,  of  Indiana; 
Button,  of  Virginia;  Laishley  and  Pierpoint,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia; Batchelor  and  Wills,  of  North  Carolina  ;  Walker  and 
Bassett,  of  Ohio.    This  was  followed  by  a  half-hour  of 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


253 


social  interchange,  and  all  seemed  reluctant  to  conclude  the 
exercises.  The  sessions  of  the  united  Convention  were 
thenceforth  held  in  the  Starr  Church. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  UNITED  BODY. 

On  Thursday  morning,  May  17th,  officers  for  the  Con- 
vention were  elected,  by  ballot,  as  follows:  Lawrence  W, 
Bates,  of  Maryland,  President ;  Joseph  J.  Smith,  of  New  York, 
Vice-President;  George  B.  McElroy,  of  Michigan,  and  R. 
H.  Wills,  of  North  Carolina,  Secretaries.  During  the  day, 
the  President  announced  various  standing  committees, 
which  had  been  ordered,  and  Rules  of  Order  were  adopted. 
The  Committee  on  Revision  consisted  of  two  ministers  and 
two  laymen  from  each  of  the  two  sections  of  the  church, 
namely :  John  Burns,  Hugh  Stackhouse,  Francis  H.  Pier- 
point,  George  W.  Kent,  S.  B.  Southerland,  E.  J.  Drink- 
house,  Beniah  S.  Bibb,  William  Vandervort.  This  com- 
mittee, in  continuous  session,  scanned  and  collated  the 
Constitutions  and  Disciplines  of  the  two  churches,  and 
reported  by  portions,  from  day  to  day,  for  the  action  of 
Convention. 

On  Friday,  the  1 8th,  greetings  to  the  Convention  were 
received  by  telegraph  from  the  faculties  of  Adrian  and 
Western  Maryland  Colleges.  A  communication  having 
been  received  from  the  Bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  recommending  an  Ecumenical  Methodist  Council, 
it  was  ordered  that  a  Committee  of  Correspondence  be 
created,  and  that  four  ministers  and  four  laymen  be  elected 
to  represent  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  the  Coun- 
cil. The  Committee  of  Correspondence,  afterwards  ap- 
pointed, consists  of  E.  J.  Drinkhouse,  Alexander  Clark, 
W.  J.  C.  Dulany  and  J.  J.  Gillespie.  The  representatives 
appointed  are  George  B.  McElroy,  S.  B.  Southerland,  J.  P. 
Hickerson,  John  Burns,  Beniah  S.  Bibb,  Thomas  J.  Finch, 
Perry  F.  Remsburgh  and  Charles  W.  Button. 


254 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Alexander  Gibson,  D.  D.,  official  representative  from 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  addressed  the  Convention 
for  about  an  hour,  in  an  able  manner,  and  kind  spirit.  He 
said:  "We  congratulate  you  upon  the  union  you  have  con- 
summated. May  Cod  preserve  you  one  forever.  We  also 
rejoice  in  your  prosperity.  I  do  not  know  nor  care  to  know 
of  your  increase  in  numbers.  Sometimes  numerical  strength 
is  weakness.  The  power  of  a  church  is  in  its  spirituality; 
and  the  success  of  a  church  is  to  be  measured  by  the  num 
bers  gone  up  from  her  communion  to  the  land  that  has  no 
setting  sun.  You  have  grown  from  a  handful  to  a  tremen- 
dous army.  We  do  not  look  to  organic  union  with  any 
one.  I  believe  the  devil  thinks 'well  of  great  churches;  we 
know  that  politicians  do.  There  is  danger  to  be  appre- 
hended in  consolidation.  We  ask  the  unity  of  brother- 
hood, in  the  unity  of  the  Church  of  Christ."  President 
Bates  responded  very  appropriately  to  the  address. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  Journal  of  Proceedings  of  Con- 
vention be  published,  and  that  the  cost  be  assessed  upon 
the  Annual  Conferences.  Upon  recomendation  of  appropri- 
ate committee,  it  was  decided  not  to  interfere  with  the  exist- 
ing arrangement  of  the  church  papers.  The  Methodist 
Protestant,  the  Methodist  Recorder  and  the  Morning  Guide 
were  indorsed,  and  the  present  editors  and  publishers  to  be 
continued  to  next  General  Conference. 

Upon  a  report  of  the  Committee  on  Boundaries,  sub- 
mitted by  William  H.  Wills,  the  difficulties  apprehended  in 
North  Carolina  were  disposed  of  to  general  satisfaction. 
The  North  Carolina  Conference,  as  heretofore  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church,  was  recognized,  and  also  the  two 
Conferences  in  the  same  State  heretofore  recognized  by  the 
Methodist  Church,  with  appropriate  change  of  name,  leav- 
ing to  individuals  and  to  the  several  Conferences  the  dis- 
tribution of  membership  by  their  own  election.  John  Paris 
opposed  the  proposition,  on  account  of  the  overlapping  of 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


255 


borders.  But  it  was  believed  that  any  difficulty  in  this 
regard  would  adjust  itself.    Adopted  by  a  large  majority. 

A  committee,  consisting  of  John  J.  Murray,  John  Paris 
and  F.  H.  Collier,  was  appointed  to  extend  congratulations 
to  the  several  Methodist  Conferences  of  Great  Britain. 
Fraternal  messengers  were  appointed  to  attend  the  General 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  namely : 
Joseph  J.  Smith,  Francis  H.  Pierpoint  and  David  Wilson. 
Fraternal  messengers  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South:  Alexander  Clark,  Thomas  J.  Finch,  George  R.  Barr 
and  F.  H.  M.  Henderson. 

A  spirited  debate  occurred  upon  a  motion  to  give  the 
lay  delegate,  as  well  as  the  minister,  in  the  Annual  Confer- 
ence, an  appeal,  against  the  action  of  the  appointing  power. 
The  proposition  was  lost,  however,  chiefly  through  the 
opposition  of  laymen.  It  was  ordered  that  the  first  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  the  reunited  church  convene  at  Pitts- 
burgh, on  the  third  Friday  in  May,  1880,  and  that  a  Gen- 
eral Conference  be  convened  and  held  every  four  years 
thereafter.  The  ratio  of  representation  to  be  one  minister 
and  one  layman  for  every  1,500  members. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  Historical  Pre- 
face to  the  Book  of  "Discipline,  namely:  P.  J.  Strong,  John 
G.  Whitfield,  Ancel  H.  Basselt,  H.  F.  Zollickoffer  and  E. 
B.  Bates.  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  Pastoral  Ad- 
dress: John  Kost,  Joseph  J.  White,  Thomas  H.  Colhouer, 
Nathan  R.  Swift,  J."  K.  Nichols,  W.  J.  C.  Dulany  and  J.  W. 
Hering.  This  committee  accordingly  prepared  an  address, 
which  was  adopted.  Committee  on  Church  Extension: 
Cornelius  S.  Evans,  F.  H.  M.  Henderson,  and  Erastus 
Williams. 

A  proposition  to  give  unstationed  ministers  representa- 
tion in  Electoral  Colleges,  was,  after  considerable  debate, 
adopted.  Five  years  was  established  as  the  limit  of  the 
pastoral  term.    The  same  limit  was  also  given  to  the  term 


256 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  the  presidential  office  in  the  Annual  Conference.  The 
question  of  suffrage  and  eligibility  to  office  was  left  to  the 
Annual  Conferences,  with  the  proviso  that  no  rule  shall  be 
passed  which  shall  infringe  the  right  of  suffrage  or  eligibility 
to  office. 

A  committee,  which  had  been  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose, waited  on  the  President  of  the  United  States  at  the 
Executive  Mansion,  on  Monday,  the  21st,  to  express  re- 
spects and  congratulations  on  behalf  of  the  Convention. 
The  members  of  the  deputation,  Alexander  Clark,  Beniah 
S.  Bibb,  J.  P.  Hickerson,  Elias  A.  Wheat,  Charles  W.  But- 
ton, Joseph  H.  Hamilton  and  William  Gray,  each  made 
brief  addresses.  In  response,  President  Hayes  expressed 
his  earnest  interest  in  the  matter  of  church  union  which 
occasioned  the  visit,  and  said  it  could  scarcely  be  too  highly 
estimated;  that  it  would  produce  an  influence  upon  the 
whole  country.  He  alluded  to  the  unhappy  separation 
which  had  taken  place  in  the  great  Presbyterian  and  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Churches,  and  hoped  that  the  chasms  would 
soon  be  healed.  He  thanked  the  deputation  and  the  Con- 
vention for  the  honor  of  a  visit,  on  so  pleasant  an  errand. 

Upon  proposition  of  Sanford  H.  Flood,  of  Indiana,  and 
T.  H.  Pegram,  of  North  Carolina,  an  editing  committee 
of  four  persons  was  appointed,  two  at  Pittsburgh  and  two 
at  Baltimore,  to  arrange  and  prepare  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline, and  to  advise,  from  time  to  time,  regarding  the  issue 
and  sale  of  books  and  periodicals,  in  the  interest  of  the 
church,  so  as  to  secure  fairness  and  justice  towards  the  two 
publishing  houses.  The  committee  consists  of  Alexander 
Clark,  John  Scott,  E,  J.  Drinkhouse  and  W.  J.  C.  Dulany. 

Reports  of  Committee  on  Boundaries  were  scanned  and 
discussed,  and  various  local  adjustments  were  made,  in  open 
consultation,  by  members  from  the  different  districts.  Re- 
port of  the  Committee  on  Colleges  was  adopted,  giving 
favorable  representation  of  the  Adrian  and  Western  Mary- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


257 


land  Colleges,  and  commending  to  the  North  Carolina  Con- 
ference the  proposition  for  establishing  a  college  in  that 
State.  Ancel  H.  Bassett  and  E.  J.  Drinkhouse  were  ap- 
pointed as  a  committee  to  prepare  statistical  reports,  to  be 
published  with  the  Journal. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  official  hymn-books,  heretofore 
adopted,  respectively,  and  in  use  by  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church,  published  in  Baltimore,  and  by  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  published  in  Pittsburgh,  be  recognized  and 
approved,  for  the  present  use  of  the  churches  of  our  de- 
nomination. 

The  following  report  from  a  special  committee  was 
adopted : 

"The  President  of  the  General  Convention  (or  Conference'! 
shall  be  recognized  as  the  connectional  officer  of  that  body,  until 
the  succeeding  General  Conference  shall  elect  his  successor;  he 
shall  be  clothed  with  no  powers  or  prerogatives,  except  the  purely 
ministerial  one  of  leceiving  such  official  correspondence  as  may  be 
addressed  to  him  in  the  interval  of  the  quadrennial  sessions  of  our 
legislative  assemblies. 

"The  Secretary  of  the  General  Convention  (or  Conference) 
shall  also  hold  his  office  until  the  succeeding  General  Conference, 
and  if  present  shall  call  that  body  to  order  at  its  organization." 

It  was  decided  to  have  no  general  legislation  regarding 
the  salaries  of  ministers,  but  to  leave  the  respective  Annual 
Conferences  to  make  their  own  rules  and  regulations  in 
respect  to  this  matter.  Reports  were  adopted  recognizing 
Boards  of  Missions  and  of  Ministerial  Education,  and,  on 
mo'.ion  of  F.  Benson  and  E.  J.  Drinkhouse,  it  was 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Methodist  Discipline,  so  far  as  it  defines  the 
powers  of  Church  Boards,  not  otherwise  defined  by  this  Conven- 
tion, is  hereby  indorsed." 

The  Rules  of  Christian  Conduct,  as  given  in  the  Meth- 
odist Discipline,  were  adopted,  instead  of  the  General  Rules 

R 


258 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  John  and  Charles  Wesley ;  except  that  the  clause  on 
slavery  was  struck  out,  and  a  prohibition  of  the  use  of 
tobacco  inserted. 

It  was  recommended  that  the  annual  contributions  for 
the  Board  of  Ministerial  Education  be  taken  during  the 
the  month  of  December,  and  the  contributions  for  the  cause 
of  Missions  be  taken  during  the  month  of  May,  of  each 
year. 

On  Wednesday  p.  m.,  at  near  the  midnight  hour,  the 
Convention  adjourned  sine  die,  with  the  benediction,  offered 
by  President  McElroy. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 


A  RETROSPECT,  TAKEN  IN  BALTIMORE   AT   THE    CONVENTION,  IN 
STARR  CHURCH,  MAY  l6TH,   1877— AN  INCIDENT. 

BALTIMORE  is  historic  ground.  It  has  been  the  scene 
of  many  General  Conferences  and  General  Conven- 
tions, during  the  current  three-fourths  of  a  century.  Here 
have  been  held  eight  General  Conferences  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  three  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church.  Here,  too,  were  held  three  General  Conventions 
of  the  Methodist  Reformers,  resulting  in  the  organization 
of  the  last  named  church.  And  to  go  still  further  back  in 
the  record,  Baltimore  was  the  scene  of  the  early  Confer- 
ences of  American  Methodism,  a  century  ago,  while  Mr. 
Wesley  yet  lived. 

Here,  in  1784,  Dr.  Coke  and  Francis  Asbury,  with  a 
company  of  preachers,  mostly  young  men,  but  including 
a  foreign  element,  fresh  from  their  fatherland,  organized 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Here,  in  1792,  James  O'Kelley  and  William  Mc Ken- 
dree,  finding  that  their  "godly  superior"  regarded  himself 
"born  to  command,"  took  decided  exceptions  to  the  su- 
preme appointing  power,  and  earnestly  contended  for  some 
abatement  thereof. 

Here,  in  successive  General  Conferences,  the  dissatis- 
fied spirit  of  the  preachers  struggled  to  obtain,  at  least  some 
voice,  in  the  choosing  of  their  presiding  elders,  but  without 
avail. 

259 


2G0 


A   CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Here,  in  a  General  Conference  in  1812,  Nicholas  Sne- 
then  introduced  the  compromise  measure  for  the  election 
of  presiding  elders,  from  nominations  made  by  the  bishops. 
And  here  Jesse  Lee  so  earnestly  advocated  and  pressed  the 
demands  of  this  measure  before  that  General  Conference, 
that  Mr.  Asbury,  the  bishop  presiding,  showed  his  disap- 
probation by  treating  him  with  "unpardonable  discourtesy." 

Here  it  was  that,  in  a  General  Conference  in  1820,  the 
vexed  presiding  elder  question  was  settled  by  the  hand- 
some vote  of  over  two-thirds.  Great  relief  was  felt,  and 
great  joy  expressed,  on  all  hands,  save  on  the  side  of  epis- 
copal prerogative.  The  joy  was  of  short  continuance. 
Bishop  Asbury  had  deceased,  but  some  of  his  successors 
in  office  seem  to  have  inherited  the  spirit  of  the  "tenacious 
grasp,"  spoken  of  by  John  Emory  and  Beverly  Waugh. 
Joshua  Soule,  who  had  just  been  elected  bishop,  refused  his 
assent  to  the  measure  which  had  been  passed,  and  in  this 
position  he  was  joined  by  Bishop  McKendree.  Of  course, 
the  bishops  must  have  their  way — the  demands  of  a  Con- 
ference, in  comparison,  being  nothing  worth.  So,  the 
action,  so  happily  passed,  was  suspended  ;  about  the  same 
as  annulled.  The  venerable  Thomas  McCormick,  now 
here  present,  witnessed  to  some  extent  the  scenes  referred 
to.  The  famed  "suspended  resolutions"  were  set  aside  for 
over  half  a  century.  And  for  all  time,  it  would  seem,  if 
we  might  judge  from  the  action  of  a  General  Conference 
so  recent  as  that  of  1876,  in  this  same  Baltimore  city. 

These  struggles  among  the  preachers  waked  up  the  laity 
to  apprehend  their  submissive  condition.  And  here,  in 
Baltimore,  it  was  that  a  General  Conference,  in  1824,  when 
meekly  asked  whether  it  would  not  be  right  for  the  laity  to 
have  some  voice  in  the  government  to  which  they  had  to 
submit,  answered:  "We  know  no  such  rights;  we  do  not 
comprehend  such  privileges." 

Then  here,  in  Baltimore,  it  was  that  the  friends  of  re- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


261 


form,  including  a  respectable  minority  of  that  General 
Conference  determined  to  issue  a  publication,  to  be  called 
"The  Mutual  Rights  of  the  Ministers  and  Members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  Here  the  work  was  issued. 
But  its  editors  and  supporters,  Jennings,  Williams,  Mc- 
Caine,  and  others,  were  held  as  offenders.  Uzzah  must  not 
touch  the  sacred  ark  of  episcopal  hierarchy,  lest  it  strike 
him  dead.  The  offenders,  or  those  who  were  made  exam- 
ples of,  suffered  the  decapitation.  Twenty-two  laymen  and 
eleven  preachers,  in  this  city,  were  cut  off.  God  has  been 
gracious  to  spare  to  us  so  long  brother  Thomas  McCor- 
mick,  who  is  the  only  surviving  one  of  the  victims. 

The  like  proceedings  were  transacted,  some  months 
after,  at  Cincinnati,  of  which  the  writer  was  a  witness. 
Ten  laymen  and  four  preachers,  against  whom,  as  to  moral 
character,  not  a  dog  could  move  his  tongue,  were  expelled. 
Mr.  Shinn  called  these  acts  "military  executions,"  a  very 
apt  expression. 

Then  Baltimore  was  the  scene  of  the  several  early  Con- 
ventions of  Methodist  Reformers. 

The  first  General  Convention  was  held  in  November, 
1827;  was  presided  over  by  Nicholas  Snethen ;  Gideon 
Davis,Secretary.  Fifty-seven  members  were  in  attendance. 
Of  these,  so  far  as  the  writer  can  learn,  but  one  is  yet  liv- 
ing, namely,  William  Bawdon,  living  at  Fort  Scott,  Kan- 
sas, and  who  is  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  original 
Maryland  Conference.     He  is  several  years  past  four-score. 

The  second  General  Convention  was  held  in  Baltimore, 
in  November,  1828.  Nicholas  Snethen  again  presided  ; 
William  S.  Stockton  was  Secretary.  Over  one  hundred 
representatives  were  present,  and  of  the  number  the  writer 
is  not  aware  that  any  one  survives  but  the  venerable  Will- 
iam C.  Lipscomb,  of  Georgetown.  Quite  recently,  one  of 
the  number,  full  of  years  and  of  honors,  passed  away,  A. 
G.  Brewer,  of  Alabama. 


2G2 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  third  General  Convention  was  held  in  Baltimore,  in 
November,  1830.  Dr.  Francis  Waters  presided,  and  Will- 
iam C.  Lipscomb  was  Secretary.  Eighty-three  members 
were  in  attendance.  Of  the  roll  of  that  Convention, 
which  formed  the  Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church,  the  writer  knows  of  but  one  indi- 
vidual surviving,  namely,  Isaac  Fister,  of  Genesee. 

Speaking  of  the  Baltimore  assemblages,  the  writer  de- 
sires to  notice  the  General  Conferences  of  1842  and  1850, 
held  in  this  city,  which  he  had  the  honor  to  attend.  But 
to  pursue  the  consecutive  order,  the  first  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  was  held  at 
Georgetown,  in  May,  1834.  It  was  presided  over  by 
Nicholas  Snethen  ;  William  C.  Lipscomb  Secretary.  Thirty 
representatives  were  in  attendance,  and  of  the  number  it 
is  thought  that  but  three  persons  survive — William  C.  Lips- 
comb, John  Clarke,  of  Rushville,  111.,  and  James  Barns,  of 
Carmichaels,  Pa.  The  last  named  is  in  his  eighty-eighth 
year,  is  quite  vigorous,  retains  his  hearing  and  vision,  and 
is  not  gray !  He  has  always  worn  a  smile,  which  may 
largely  account  for  his  longevity. 

The  second  General  Conference  was  held  at  Pittsburgh, 
in  May,  1838.  Asa  Shinn  presided;  T.  W.  Pierson  Sec- 
retary. Thirty-seven  representatives  were  present,  of  whom 
but  two  are  known  to  the  writer  to  be  surviving,  namely, 
James  Barns  and  John  Clarke,  same  as  mentioned  above. 

In  Baltimore  was  held  our  third  General  Conference,  in 
May,  1842.  That  assembly  embraced  many  of  the  founders 
and  leaders  of  our  church — men  of  talent  and  influence 
and  power.  Shinn  was  present,  and  occupied  the  Presi- 
dential chair.  The  voice  of  Snethen  was  heard,  though  he 
sat  as  an  honorary  member.  Brown  and  Springer  and 
Ragan  were  there.  Butler  and  Bennett  and  Albright,  Nor- 
ris,  of  Boston,  Stier  and  Williams  and  John  S.  Reese  and 
McCaine.    Then,  our  noble  laymen,  the  senior  Stockton, 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


263 


of  Philadelphia,  Freeman  and  Whetstone  and  Burton. 
Whitaker  and  Nandain,  Light  and  Crutchley,  Fish  and 
Thomas.  These  noble  men,  elders  in  our  Israel,  who  were 
with  us  in  1842  in  Baltimore,  have  all  passed  away,  and 
many  more.*  In  this  General  Convention,  this  united 
body,  in  1877,  are  but  four  persons,  two  of  the  Northern 
and  two  of  the  Southern  wing,  who  were  here  in  General 
Conference  in  1842.  These  are  Judge  Bibb  and  John  G. 
Whitfield,  of  the  South  side,  and  John  Burns  and  Ancel 
H.  Bassett,  of  the  West. 

Taking  the  General  Conferences  in  their  order,  the 
fourth  was  held  at  Cincinnati,  in  1S46.  Dr.  Francis  Waters 
presided.  Seventy-two  representatives  were  in  attendance, 
out  of  whom  only  nine  persons  are  now  enrolled  in  this 
Convention  of  1877.  These  are  Peter  T.  Laishley  and 
Francis  H.  Pierpoint,  of  Pittsburgh ;  John  Burns,  of  Mus- 
kingum ;  John  G.  Whitfield,  William  H.  Wills  and  John 
Paris,  of  North  Carolina ;  and  Joseph  J.  White  and  Ancel 
H.  Bassett,  of  Ohio. 

The  fifth  General  Conference  was  held  in  Baltimore,  in 
May,  1850.  The  genial  Levi  R.  Reese  presided.  Fifty- 
five  members  were  present,  from  twenty  different  Confer- 
ences. But  within  these  years  a  large  proportion  of  those 
select  men  of  our  church  have  passed  away.  Of  those  who 
had  seats  in  the  General  Conference  of  1850,  but  nine 
persons  are  enrolled  in  the  Convention  of  1877.  These 
are  Joseph  J.  Smith,  of  New  York  ;  John  Burns,  of  Mus- 
kingum ;  William  Collier,  of  Pittsburgh  ;  B.  F.  Duggan, 
of  Tennessee;  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  of  Ohio,  and  John  G. 

*Duncan  C.  Carson,  of  Ohio,  had  a  seat  in  that  General  Con- 
ference, and  in  several  succeeding  General  Conferences,  and  a  more 
judicious  or  more  useful  member  did  not  attend  either  body.  He 
was  one  of  the  earliest  Reformers,  and  exerted  a  great  influence  in 
promoting  the  cause.  In  extreme  age  and  feebleness  now,  he  is  said 
to  be  awaiting  the  summons  of  his  Lord. 


264 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Whitfield,  John  Paris,  William  H.  Wills  and  L.  W.  Batch- 
elor,  of  North  Carolina ;  four  out  of  the  nine  from  North 
Carolina.    May  they  live  forever. 

The  sixth  General  Conference  was  held  at  Steubenville, 
in  May,  1854.  John  Burns  presided.  Sixty-two  members 
were  present.  We  know  that  within  these  twenty-three 
years  a  large  proportion  of  the  persons  have  deceased,  but 
the  number  we  assume  not  to  determine.  But  this  is  cer- 
tain, of  the  sixty-two  brethren  composing  the  General  Con- 
ference of  1854,  but  nine  persons  are  enrolled  as  members 
of  this  Convention.  These  are  John  Burns,  of  Muskingum  ; 
Teter  T.  Laishley  and  John  Scott,  of  Pittsburgh  ;  S.  B. 
Southerland  and  Charles  W.  Button,  of  Maryland;  John 
G.  Whitfield  and  William  H.  Wills,  of  North  Carolina; 
Joseph  J.  Smith,  of  New  York,  and  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  of 
Ohio. 

The  General  Conference  of  May,  1858,  was  held  at 
Lynchburg,  and  was  presided  over  by  William  C.  Lips- 
comb. Forty  members  were  present.  And  we  find  just 
the  number  eleven  having  seats  in  this  body  who  were  en- 
rolled in  that  General  Conference,  namely,  John  J.  Murray 
and  Charles  W.  Button,  of  Maryland  ;  George  R.  Barr,  of 
Virginia;  B.  S.  Bibb,  of  Alabama;  B.  F.  Duggan,  of  Ten- 
nessee ;  Peter  T.  Laishley,  William  Collier  and  Francis  H. 
Pierpoint,  of  Pittsburgh  ;  Joseph  J.  White,  of  Ohio ;  and 
John  G.  Whitfield  and  William  H.  Wills,  of  North  Carolina. 

We  pass  to  the  Convention  at  Springfield,  November, 
1858.  George  Brown  presided.  Forty-four  members  were 
present,  and  of  the  number  we  have  in  this  body  just 
eleven,  namely,  James  M.  Mayall  and  P.  J.  Strong,  of 
North  Illinois;  Joseph  J.  Smith,  of  New  York;  Ira  H. 
Hogan,  of  Onondaga ;  George  W.  Pogue  and  John  Scott, 
of  Pittsburgh;  Joel  S.  Thrap,  of  Muskingum;  and  Reuben 
Rose,  Joseph  J.  White,  Wilson  R.  Parsons  and  Ancel  H. 
Bassett,  of  Ohio. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


265 


The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  for  May,  1S62,  could  not  be  regularly  convened, 
on  account  of  the  then  existing  civil  war,  as  stated  in  a 
previous  chapter.  Only  the  Maryland  representatives  as- 
sembled. An  adjourned  session  was  held  in  May,  1S65, 
Dr.  Francis  Waters  presiding.  It  is  sad  to  think  that  of 
that  small  number,  within  so  few  years,  so  many  have  been 
called  hence.  Waters,  and  Sim,  and  Libby,  and  Thomas, 
and  Roby,  and  D.  E.  Reese — it  may  be,  others.  Only 
three  of  the  number  in  that  Conference  are  enrolled  in  this 
Convention — J.  K.  Nichols,  Lawrence  W.  Bates  and  John 
J.  Murray.  The  sessionsof  1862-65  were  held  at  Georgetown. 

Of  the  Convention  held  at  Cincinnati,  in  November, 
1862,  presided  over  by  George  Brown,  twelve  members 
have  seats  in  this  Convention  of  1877 — Nathan  R.  Swift, 
John  Scott,  George  W.  Pogue,  Joseph  J.  White,  Reuben 
Rose,  James  B.  Walker,  Thompson  Douglass,  Sanford  H. 
Flood,  A.  D.  Whitford,  P.  J.  Strong,  C.  Link  and  Ancel 
H.  Bassett. 

The  General  Conference~~held  at  Georgetown,  in  May, 
1866,  was  presided  over  by  William  H.  Wills.  Fifty-one 
members  were  in  attendance.  Of  these,  seventeen  are  en- 
rolled in  this  Convention,  of  whom  six  are  from  Maryland, 
one  from  Alabama,  and  ten  from  North  Carolina. 

The  General  Conference  held  at  Allegheny  City,  in 
November,  1866,  was  presided  over  by  John  Scott;  had 
forty-four  members  in  attendance.  Of  these,  fifteen  have 
seats  as  members  of  this  Convention. 

The  Constitutional  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church,  held  at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  in  May,  1867, 
John  J.  Murray  President,  had  thirty-eight  members  in  at- 
tendance, of  whom  thirteen  are  enrolled  in  the  Convention 
of  1877. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church,  held 
at  Cleveland,  in  May,  1867,  was  presided  over  by  Thomas 


266 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


B.  Graham.  Sixty-one  members  were  in  attendance,  of 
whom  twenty  are  embraced  in  the  roll  of  this  Convention. 

The  General  Conference  held  at  East  Baltimore  Station, 
in  May,  1870,  John  G.  Whitfield  President,  had  eighty 
members  enrolled.  It  is  not  stated  what  number  were  in 
attendance.  Of  the  number  then  enrolled,  twenty-eight 
have  seats  in  this  Convention. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church,  held 
at  Pittsburgh,  in  May,  187 1,  Francis  H.  Pierpoint  Pres- 
ident, had  seventy-six  representatives  in  attendance,  of 
whom  twenty-eight  have  seats  in  this  Convention. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  held  at  Lynchburg,  in  May,  1874,  Lawrence  W. 
Bates  President,  exhibited  a  roll  of  ninety-four  representa- 
tives, but  the  number  in  attendance  was  not  indicated  in 
the  published  journal.  Of  these,  thirty-three  occupy  seats 
in  this  Convention. 

At  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
held  at  Princeton,  111.,  in  May,  1875,  presided  over  by 
John  Burns,  ninety-two  representatives  were  in  attendance, 
of  whom  thirty-five  have  seats  in  the  Convention  of  1877. 

Of  those  who  have  been  presiding  officers  of  General 
Conferences  and  General  Conventions  of  our  church,  five 
have  departed,  to  rest  from  their  labors:  Nicholas  Snethen, 
Francis  Waters,  Asa  Shinn,  Levi  R.  Reese,  George  Brown. 

Eleven  persons  who  have  been  presiding  officers  in  our 
General  Conferences  and  General  Conventions,  are  still 
living.  Nine  of  these  ex-Presidents  have  seats  in  this  Con- 
vention (the  President  himself  being  one  of  the  ex-Presi- 
dents), namely,  John  Burns,  B.  S.  Bibb,  William  H.  Wills, 
John  Scott,  John  J.  Murray,  John  G.  Whitfield,  Francis  H. 
Pierpoint,  Lawrence  W.  Bates,  Joseph  J.  Smith.  The 
remaining  two,  not  in  present  Convention,  are  William  C. 
Lipscomb  and  Thomas  B.  Graham. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


267 


AN  INCIDENT. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  union  of  the  two  Conventions, 
at  Starr  Church,  Baltimore,  on  May  16th,  1877,  as  other- 
wheres stated,  an  hour  was  spent  in  voluntary  brief  remarks. 
The  time  was  well  occupied,  and  as  it  advanced,  several 
speakers  at  once  might  be  seen,  on  their  feet,  awaiting  their 
opportunity.  The  writer  had  determined  to  make  no  effort. 
But  at  length  brother  William  H.  Wills,  of  North  Carolina, 
with  whom  he  had  been  agreeably  associated  in  three  pre- 
vious General  Conferences,  but  whom  he  had  not  now  met 
with  for  twenty-three  years,  stepped  up  to  him,  with  a  very 
cordial  salutation,  stating:  ,-It  is  requested  that  I  should 
speak  a  little,  and  that  you  should  follow."  The  writer, 
after  a  warm  embrace  of  his  old  friend,  assented,  but  stating 
that  he  had  not  intended  to  speak.  Brother  Wills  immedi- 
ately advanced  in  front  of  the  President,  and  communicated 
the  request,  from  some  part  of  the  audience,  that  himself 
and  Brother  Bassett  should  make  a  few  remarks.  He  was 
answered  that  the  time  had  a"bout  expired;  but  it  was  con- 
ceded, by  common  consent,  that  time  should  be  allowed  for 
the  two  brethren  to  speak.  Brother  Wills  proceeded  to 
express  the  most  liberal  and  kindly  feelings  and  sentiments, 
as  is  his  nature  to  do.  He  admitted  that  in  time  past  he 
had  been  opposed  to  the  union,  but  now  he  felt  happy  to 
accept  the  situation,  and  pledged  himself,  before  God  and 
his  brethren,  to  do,  or  say,  or  attempt  nothing  calculated 
to  mar  the  peace  of  the  united  church;  and  expressed  the 
hope  that  the  enlarged  blessing  of  God  would  sanction  the 
transaction.  He  adopted  the  words  of  the  Moabite  convert: 
"Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  nor  to  return  from  following 
after  thee;  for  whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go,  and  where 
thou  lodgest,  I  will  lodge :  thy  people  shall  be  my  people, 
and  thy  God,  my  God :  where  thou  diest,  will  I  die,  and 
there  will  I  be  buried." 


268 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  writer  attempted,  in  few  words,  to  follow  Brother 
Wills,  reciprocating  his  excellent  sentiments.  He  had  an 
impulse  to  make  appropriate  reference  to  the  local  and  his- 
toric associations  of  the  occasion,  but  felt  embarrassed  as 
to  occupying  the  lime,  already  prolonged,  and  so  said  but 
little.  He  has  since  sketched  the  article  headed  "A  Retro- 
spect," making  Chapter  XLV,  which  embraces  the  special 
feature  referred  to. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 


THE  RELIGIOUS  STATUS  AND  ASPECT. 


TE  HAVE  claimed  for  the  Methodist  Protestant  Giurch 


a  providential  origination.  Its  founders  had  full 
cause — they  did  right.  And  the  beneficial  results  have 
ever  been  more  than  apparent.  It  was  a  cruel  thing  that 
the  brethren  of  Joseph  sold  him  into  Egypt.  But  as  it  was 
done,  God  overruled  it  for  good — for  incalculable  good. 
So,  it  was  an  unrighteous  thing  that  the  authorities  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  expelled  the  Reformers  in 
1827J2S.  But,  as  it  was  done,  God  overruled  it  for  good. 
The  expelled  and  expatriated  ones  were  Christian  men. 
Many  of  them  felt  that  God  had  thrust  them  out,  to  raise  up 
a  people  for  his  name.  They  went  forth,  preaching  Christ, 
in  hundreds  of  instances  at  points  not  before  occupied. 
Their  labors  were  blessed,  and  many  societies  were  raised 
up.  Many  of  the  pioneers  in  this  organization  were  men 
of  faith  and  zeal.  More  gifted,  or  more  successful  revival- 
ists than  Evans,  Brown,  Dalby,  or  McGuire,  in  their  day, 
have  seldom  appeared.  Many  others  might  be  named  in 
the  same  category.  They  were  evangelists,  organizers, 
builders. 

Many  of  our  organizations,  especially  at  the  first,  it  is 
true,  originated  in  local  disaffections  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  by  reason  of  arbitrary  acts  of  administra- 
tion, and  which  induced  withdrawals.  But  such  instances 
are  now  of  comparatively  rare  occurrence.    But  in  hun- 


269 


270 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


dreds  of  instances,  indeed  in  a  great  majority  of  cases, 
our  societies  have  originated  in  the  work  of  grace,  through 
the  preaching  of  the  Word,  or  through  the  influence  of 
members  of  our  church,  dispersed,  through  emigration,  to 
new  localities.  In  early  years,  the  agencies  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  used  to  deem  it  a  duty  to  oppose 
us,  lest  we  should  make  inroads  upon  their  membership. 
Of  course,  we  acted  on  the  defensive,  and  we  sought  not 
to  hide  our  principles.  But  we  claim  that  we  have  not 
been  belligerent  in  any  unworthy  sense.  We  have  pursued 
our  way,  in  common  with  other  churches,  in  our  proper 
sphere,  in  laboring  for  Christ  and  His  cause,  while  aiming 
also  to  build  up  a  liberal  Methodism.  And  in  so  doing,  we 
have  had  the  divine  blessing  upon  our  labors,  and  souls 
have  been  added.  Meanwhile,  opposition  has  ceased  gen- 
erally. (There  are  occasional  exceptions.)  Judah  no  longer 
vexes  Ephraim.  And  Ephraim  does  not  envy  Judah. 
We  have  been  recognized  as  co-workers  for  Christ,  and 
have  had  our  humble  share  of  success,  in  the  propagation 
and  building  up  of  his  cause. 

Our  general  success  has  not  been  in  due  ratio  with  the 
excellence  and  popularity  of  our  principles.  The  argu- 
ment of  numbers  has  influence  with  many  minds.  And  a 
drawback  with  many  has  been  the  burden  of  sustaining 
feeble  churches,  and  a  sacrificing  ministry.  This  remark  is 
a  compliment  to  those  who  adhere  to  principle  where  it 
commands  only  minorities,  and  to  a  ministry  which  is  con- 
tent only  to  expect  a  full  reward  at  the  resurrection  of  the 
just.  But  we  have  had  a  due  share  of  "comers  and  go- 
ers," in  the  membership  and  in  the  ministry;  some,  too, 
who,  to  commend  themselves  to  more  congenial  or  advan- 
tageous quarters,  have  lifted  up  their  heel  against  us. 

The  Head  of  the  Church  has  blessed  the  labors  of  our 
faithful  ministry  every-where.  We  believe  that  revivals  of 
religion  have  been  as  frequent  in  our  churches  as  in  those 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


271 


of  other  denominations.  In  this  regard,  the  columns  of 
our  church  papers  make  a  favorable  showing.  The  writer 
has  scanned  the  files  of  the  Methodist  Recorder  for  the  past 
two  years,  since  the  session  of  the  General  Conference  of 
1875.  He  finds  therein  reported,  for  the  Northern  wing 
alone  of  the  denomination,  for  this  period,  sixty  dedica- 
tions of  churches,  which  doubtless  falls  short  of  the  true 
number.  Not  less  than  thirty  camp-meetings  have  been 
held.  The  number  of  new  organizations  is  very  encour- 
aging in  almost  every  District.  We  have  reckoned  the 
number  of  accessions  reported  in  bounds  of  each.  But  as 
the  published  reports  do  not  include  nearly  all,  the  exhibit 
would  not  be  satisfactory.  But  within  about  seven  of  the 
Conferences,  from  one  to  two  thousand  accessions  in  each 
have  been  reported  in  this  period.  And  it  is  but  just  to  say 
that  in  Districts  and  in  seasons  in  which  our  people  have 
had  less  apparent  prosperity,  they  have  been  erecting  new 
churches,  and  improving  former  erections,  thus  looking  to 
permanent  service  and  usefulness. 

It  is  believed  that  the  leading  statement  of  the  above 
remark  will  equally  apply  to  the  Southern  wing  of  the  de- 
nomination. The  writer  can  not  as  definitely  give  the 
status  of  that  portion  of  the  church,  as  he  would  be  glad 
to  do.  But  it  is  believed  that  the  inspection  of  the  columns 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant,  in  connection  with  known  facts, 
would  produce  quite  as  favorable  an  exhibit. 

Cornelius  S.  Evans,  President  of  the  Ohio  Conference, 
in  his  annual  address,  at  the  session  of  1877,  gave  a  sensi- 
ble and  spirited  review  and  outlook.  We  extract  the  fol- 
lowing paragraphs : 

"To  us  the  past  Conference  year  has  been  one  of  marked  pros- 
perity. Nearly  all  of  our  fields  of  labor  have  shared  in  the  Divine 
visitation  ;  and  you,  my  brethren,  who  have  been  out  in  the  field  of 
toil  and  conflict,  know  better  than  I  can  tell  the  details  of  success 
and  victory.     We  have,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  again  'sown 


272 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


in  hope  and  reaped  in  joy.'  We  have  gone  '  forth  weeping, 
hearing  precious  seed,'  and  we  have  come  again  with  rejoicing, 
bringing  our  sheaves  with  us.  We  have  set  the  battle  in  array 
against  the  hosts  of  darkness,  and  have  won  the  fight.  We  think 
we  may  safely  claim,  as  the  result  of  the  labors  of  the  year,  one 
thousand  souls  saved  by  the  blood  of  the  cross.  This  certainly  is 
an  occasion  for  devout  thanksgiving;  and  standing  here  to-day, 
upon  the  threshold  of  our  semi-centennial  year,  we  may  joyfully 
raise  our  Ebenezer,  for  'hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  us.' 

"This  is  the  forty-ninth  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference. 
We  have  reached  an  important  epoch  in  our  history,  and  should 
now  broaden  our  foundations  and  enlarge  the  field  and  scope  of  our 
operations.  We  must  now  come  up  to  the  demands  of  the  time 
and  place  we  fill,  and  plan  and  purpose  great  things  for  our  Zion 
and  our  God. 

"The  past  year  has  been  an  eventful  one  to  the  Methodist 
Church.  The  proposed  union  with  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  has  been  very  happily  consummated,  and  our  church,  di- 
vided for  nearly  twenty  years,  has,  through  the  Divine  guidance 
and  blessing,  again  become  one.  One  in  name,  in  organization,  in 
work,  and  in  spirit;  we  are  one  in  the  Lord,  and  it  is  with  the  most 
profound  sentiments  of  gratitude  to  God,  and  joyful  gratulation  to 
my  brethren,  that  I  make  this  announcement  to  you  to-day. 

"The  work  thus  accomplished  at  Baltimore  has  received  the 
commendation  and  applause  of  the  whole  Christian  church;  and 
now,  united  in  the  broad  brotherhood  of  a  true  gospel  unity,  with 
no  sectional  lines  to  divide  us,  and  no  distinctions  of  class  or  color 
known  to  our  polity,  we  stand  once  more  in  the  front  of  Christian 
progress  and  reform.  Well  may  we  exclaim,  All  hail !  the  re- 
united Methodist  Protestant  Church.  All  hail!  the  church  of  our 
fathers.     All  hail!  to  Liberal  Continental  Methodism. 

"  Born  and  raised,  as  I  was,  in  an  old  Reformer's  home,*  I  can 
not  tell  you  how  glad  I  am  to-day  in  this  presence,  to  be  called  by 
the  old  familiar  family  name,  and  to  find  myself  surrounded  by  the 
bulwarks  of  mv  father's  church.    This  is  indeed  a  new  inspiration 

•The  father  of  this  gentleman  was  the  late  William  B.  Evans, 
ore  of  the  founders  and  pioneers  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  author  of  "Questions  and  Answers  on  Church  Govern- 
ment," and  one  of  the  early  presidents  of  the  same  Conference. 


MKTHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


273 


in  all  of  our  hearts,  and  must  constitute  a  grand  element  of  strength 
in  our  future  church-life  and  work. 

"  With  a  fellowship  whose  borders  extend  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  racitic,  and  from  the  lakes  to  the  gulf;  with  the  increase  of  in- 
fluence and  power,  which  its  multiplied  membership,  means  and 
agencies  will  afford  ;  with  a  true  New  Testament  polity,  a  church 
government  and  usage  which  images  that  of  the  Apostolic  age  : 
with  a  free  ministry  and  unfettered  laity;  with  free  pulpits  and  free 
pews,  and  a  free  and  open  communion,  we  hold  a  real  vantage 
ground,  as  we  go  forth  in  our  reunited  strength  to  spread  Scriptural 
holiness  over  these  lands,  and  we  may  reasonably  anticipate  a  career 
of  the  greatest  usefulness." 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 


A  CAMP-MEETING  REMINISCENCE — ASA    SHINN  AND  NICHOLAS  SNE- 
THEN — TWO  GREAT  SERMONS  FROM  THE  SAME  TEXT.* 

DURING  the  first  pastorate  of  Mr.  Shinn  at  Cincinnati. 
1829-1830,  camp-meetings  were  held  by  our  church 
about  ten  miles  east  of  the  city,  one  in  September,  1829, 
the  other  in  August,  1830.  Besides  other  ministers,  Mr. 
Shinn  officiated  at  both  of  these  meetings.  On  the  latter 
occasion,  Mr.  Snethen  was  also  present,  having  then  re- 
cently taken  a  transfer  from  an  Eastern  Conference.  Dur- 
ing this  meeting,  these  two  eminent  men  delivered  each  a 
memorable  discourse  from  the  same  text. 

On  Thursday  evening,  August  26th,  1830.  Mr.  Shinn 
preached  from  John  iii.  16,  17.   "For  God  so  loved  the  world 

•Shortly  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Snethen,  in  1845,  a  statement 
of  this  circumstance,  incorrect  in  various  particulars,  was  published 
in  the  Western  Recorder,  then  conducted  by  Cornelius  Springer.  It 
was  from  the  pen  of  one  who  was  not  present  at  the  camp-meeting 
referred  to,  but  three  hundred  miles  distant;  and  he  related  it  from 
hearsay,  after  the  lapse  of  many  years.  Hut  the  writer  of  this  work 
was  present  at  the  meeting,  and  heard  both  of  the  discourses.  He 
has  at  hand  his  personal  data,  taken  at  the  time,  and  he  retains  a 
vivid  remembrance  of  the  circumstances.  He  might  add  that  he 
still  possesses  the  identical  Bible  which  Mr.  Shinn  had  before  him, 
during  the  delivery  of  the  discourse,  and  which  was  lent  him  for  the 
purpose.  Hence  he  feels  called  upon  to  correct  the  errors  in  the 
statement  referred  to,  by  giving  his  own  reminiscence.  There  was 
no  Sabbath-day  in  that  camp-meeting  ;  it  was  closed  on  Saturday 
morning. 

274 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


275 


that  He  gave  His  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  in  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 
For  God  sent  not  His  Son  into  the  world  to  condemn  the 
world  ;  but  that  the  world  through  Him  might  be  saved." 
In  the  outset,  the  preacher  stated  that  he  was  not  aware 
that  he  had  ever  before,  in  any  instance,  preached  from 
that  text.  In  representing  the  fullness  and  the  freeness  of 
the  great  salvation,  he  called  attention  to  the  manner  in 
which  the  word  "zcor/J"  is  reiterated  and  emphasized  in 
the  text.  "God  so  loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  His  only 
begotten  Son  ;  He  sent  not  His  Son  into  the  world,  to  con- 
demn the  world,  but  that  the  WORLD  through  Him 
might  be  saved."  Thus,  divine  love  took  the  broadest  pos- 
sible scope.  The  speaker  magnified  the  condescending 
grace  of  God,  the  distinguished  manner  of  love  which  the 
Father  hath  conferred  upon  us,  in  the  gift  of  His  dear  Son. 
He  impressively  presented  that  love  as  surpassing  all  others. 

"  Let  all  the  World  fall  clown,  and  know 
i         That  none  but  God  such  love  can  show." 

He  dwelt  upon  the  amazing  disinterestedness  of  the  sacri- 
ficing Redeemer,  the  great  love  wherewith  he  loved  us, 
and  gave  himself  for  us,  even  while  we  were  yet  sinners. 
Thus  contemplating  the  unsearchable  depths  of  saving 
grace,  he  led  every  soul  to  inquire : 

"O  Lamb  of  God,  was  ever  pain, 
Was  ever  love  like  thine!  " 

Hence  he  presented  our  deep  obligation  to  love  the  Lord, 
because  he  hath  first  loved  us.  But  he  showed,  with  great 
impressiveness,  that  if,  instead  of  making  this  grateful  re- 
turn, we  exhibit  only  cold  indifference  and  ingratitude,  how 
deserving  we  would  be  of  the  divine  pronunciamento,  "If 
any  man  love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  be  Anath- 
ema, Maranatha!"  To  state  more  fully  what  this  denun- 
ciation implies  and  involves  :    If,  after  all  the  exhibition 


276 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


God  hath  given  of  his  abounding  grace,  die  pains  he  has 
taken,  and  the  solicitude  he  has  manifested  that  we  should 
reciprocate  his  love,  and  accept  his  salvation  ;  if  we  yet 
fail  in  this,  we  incur  the  most  fearful  consequences.  If,  after 
all,  any  man  is  found  persistently  to  slight  such  dying  love, 
and  trample  under  foot  mercies  so  large  and  free,  such  a 
one,  the  speaker  declared,  with  awful  solemnity,  in  the 
light  of  the  text,  absolutely  ought  to  be  damned,  and  God 
would  be  unjust  to  bring  him  to  the  holy  place  assigned  to 
his  obedient  ones!  This  overwhelming  utterance  was 
given  but  as  an  emphasizing  and  reiteration  of  the  divine 
anathema.  It  came  as  a  thunder-clap  from  heaven,  which 
no  man  could  resist!  It  was  uttered  as  no  man  but  Shinn 
could  utter  it,  and  we  wish  to  hear  no  other  man  presume 
to  utter  it. 

On  the  ensuing  day  (August  27th),  Mr.  Snethen  preached 
the  discourse  next  following  that  of  Mr.  Shinn.  He  an- 
nounced the  same  text,  John  iii.  16,  17.  Said  he:  "My 
Brother  Shinn  thinks  he  has  not  preached  from  this  text 
before.  Not  so  with  myself ;  I  have  preached  from  it 
again  and  again.  And,  brethren,  I  usually  find  that  when 
I  preach  from  a  text  again  and  again,  I  can't  do  so  well."' 
Mr.  Shinn  had  dwelt  upon  the  stupendous  grace  of  God  in 
providing  salvation,  the  importance  of  securing  an  interest 
in  that  salvation,  and  the  awful  peril  of  neglecting  it.  But 
in  the  limits  of  his  discourse,  he  did  not  particularly  em- 
brace all  that  pertained  to  the  subject.  It  was,  therefore, 
fitting  that  his  venerable  co-laborer  should  discourse  more 
particularly  upon  other  portions,  which  he  did  in  a  most 
effective  manner.  Mr.  Snethen  dwelt  specifically  upon 
faith — salvation  by  faith.  He  thus  eccentrically  introduced 
this  part  of  his  theme,  as  though  obscurely  calling  out  the 
text :  "God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  Only  Be- 
gotton  Son — that  whosoever — [a  pause] — might  have  ever- 
lasting life  !"    Raising  his  hands,  as  in  surprise,  he  shouted: 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


277 


"What  an  awful  chasm  is  here  !  You  have  left  out  the 
faith — that  whosoever  bclieveth  in  Him  might  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life  !" 

But  how  could  there  be  salvation  ?  The  law  of  gravita- 
tion, in  the  physical  world,  is  absolute,  so  is  the  law  of  ret- 
ribution in  the  moral  world.  The  wages  of  sin  is  death. 
Gravitation  is  ever  tending  downwards.  So,  sin  is  ever 
tending  downwards.  Can  there  be  a  counteracting  force? 
There  can  !  Sin  abounded — grace  did  much  more  abound. 
Our  text  reveals  it.  The  world  of  sinners  is  condemned  to 
perish.  But  God  so  loved  the  world  that,  in  Jesus  Christ, 
he  made  provision  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  might 
not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

Here  the  speaker  introduced  a  beautiful  illustration,  to 
show  that  the  law  of  gravitation  can,  in  effect,  be  counter- 
acted, without  reversing  the  law ;  and  that  God  can,  in 
Christ  Jesus,  be  just  in  the  justification  of  him  that  be- 
lieveth. The  application  of  steam  to  the  machinery  of  a 
vessel  may  propel  it  upwards  against  a  current  which  would 
otherwise  carry  it  downwards-.  This  is  a  marvel ;  but  it  is 
possible  with  God.  Great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness. 
God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself.  He 
hath  made  him  to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  that  we 
might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God,  in  him. 

Thus  beautifully  and  forcibly  the  venerable  speaker  illus- 
trated the  wonderful  device  of  Divine  wisdom  and  good- 
ness, in  the  salvation  by  Christ.  The  law  of  gravitation, 
that  overwhelming  force,  is  counteracted,  yet  not  violated. 
The  guilty  are  lost,  yet  may  be  saved,  by  grace,  through 
faith.  We  were  without  strength,  and  there  was  none  to 
help — then  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.  The  moral  law 
of  gravitation,  that  overwhelming  force,  was  bearing  us 
away  to  everlasting  destruction,  but  a  counteracting  power 
is  devised  which  can  fully  overcome  that  force,  and  save 
us.    This  amazing  relief — this  stupendous  deliverance — is 


278 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


set  forth  in  the  text.  The  tide  of  sin  and  worldliness  would 
bear  us  all  away,  but  we  may  seek  and  have  the  overcom- 
ing power  ;  just  as  the  vessel  can,  by  force  of  steam,  be 
propelled  upward,  against  every  resisting  tide.  As  thus  the 
law  of  gravitation  can  be  counteracted,  thus  again,  God  is, 
in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself. 

The  writer  can  never  forget  how  pointedly  the  vener- 
able preacher  challenged  infidelity  to  accept  Christ — to  be- 
lieve and  receive  the  record  God  hath  given  of  his  Son  ; 
how  forcibly  he  answered  the  usual  pleas  of  skepticism,  and 
swept  away  the  refuge  of  lies.  Raising  the  blessed  volume, 
and  presenting  it  towards  the  audience,  he  said,  earnestly, 
and  as  though  with  prophetic  emphasis  :  "Take  the  Book  ! 
— it  is  God's  message.  Believe  it — accept  it — and  be  saved  ! 
Reject  it — at  your  peril — and  die  !  The  gospel  is  not  too 
good  to  be  true.  It  is  not  incredible  that  God  is  love;  that 
God  loved  the  world;  that  he  manifested  his  love  by  a  gift, 
a  great  gift,  the  gift  of  his  Only  Begotten  Son.  We  can  set 
no  bounds  to  his  love,  or  to  his  power.  Blessed  be  God, 
you  can  believe  that  he  so  loved  the  world — that  he  so 
loved  you.  And,  believing  with  heart  unto  righteousness, 
you  shall  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory." 

The  effect  of  this  appeal  was  thrilling  beyond  descrip- 
tion. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 


REMINISCENCE   OF   NICHOLAS    SNETHEX — A    CONFERENCE  SERMON. 

"p\URIXG  the  early  years  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 


organization,  its  friends  had  to  encounter  much  preju- 
dice and  opposition.  Old  Side  brethren,  thinking  the  Re- 
formers in  the  wrong,  deemed  it  their  duty  to  intercept 
their  progress,  whenever  practicable,  in  many  instances  not 
stopping  to  inquire  into  the  principles  involved.  At  the 
session  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  held  at  Zanesville,  in  1831, 
Mr.  Snethen  delivered  a  discourse  containing  advices  well 
adapted  to  the  situation.  The  writer  has  a  clear  remem- 
brance of  the  discourse,  and  here  reproduces  the  portion 
with  which  he  was  particularly  impressed.  From  the  text. 
Acts  x.  4,  the  venerable  speaker  presented  the  case  of  Cor- 
nelius. He  was  a  Roman  soldier,  a  centurion — of  course 
obnoxious  to  the  very  hatred  of  the  Jews;  at  least  it  is  pre- 
sumable that  they  did  not  pray  for  him.  Who  cared  for 
Cornelius,  an  uncircumcised  Gentile? 

But  Cornelius,  notwithstanding,  was  a  devout  man,  a 
praying  man,  a  benevolent  man.  He  prayed  to  God 
always,  and  gave  much  alms  to  the  people.  He  heeded 
not  the  prejudices  or  the  scorn  of  the  Jews.  He  honored 
God,  and  worked  for  humanity.  And  it  soon  appeared 
that  he  was  not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God.  One  day, 
he  saw  evidently  (it  was  no  illusion)  an  angel  coming  to 
him,  and  saying:  Cornelius,  thy  prayers  and  thine  alms  are 
come  up  for  a  memorial  before  God.    To  cut  short  the 


279 


280 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


slory,  an  inspired  apostle  is  sent  to  Cesarea,  to  the  house 
of  this  praying  Gentile.  He  there  declares  the  Gospel. 
It  comes  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power.  The  Holy  Ghost 
is  given.  Gornelius  and  his  believing  household  and  friends 
become  rejoicing  subjects  of  salvation. 

And  now,  the  venerable  minister  presents  the  case  of 
the  Methodist  Reformers,  a  new  branch,  a  young  denomi- 
nation, excommunicants.  He  supposes  them  a  people  but 
partially  known,  by  some  misapprehended,  and  by  some 
misrepresented  and  opposed.  Addressing  himself  to  these, 
he  says:  Brethren,  the  Jews  did  not  pray  for  Cornelius, 
the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  did  not  pray  for  him,  the  priests 
and  elders  did  not  pray  for  him.  They  v  ere  not  friendly 
to  him.  They  would  have  grudged  him  silvation,  though 
rejecting  it  themselves.  But  Cornelius  himself  praved. 
And  you  have  seen  how  happily  his  prayers  availed.  G  )d 
sent  down  to  him  the  great  salvation.  So,  brethren,  Meth- 
odist Protestants,  the  Presbyterians  may  not  pray  for  you ; 
they  know  little  of  you  as  yet.  The  Baptists  may  not  pray 
for  you;  they  may  think  it  enough  to  do  their  own  praying. 
The  Episcopalians  may  not  pray  for  you  ;  they  think  you 
anti-episcopal,  and  that  you  can  not  be  all  right.  Tue 
Quakers  may  not  pray  for  you  :  they  may  not  think  that  the 
Spirit  moves  them  to  do  it.  And  you  can  not  expect  the 
Episcopal  Methodists  to  pray  for  you.  They  may  consider 
you  Radicals,  backsliders,  outcasts,  and  in  the  wrong  gen- 
erally. Of  course  they  wish  not  your  prosperity.  Perhaps 
they  had  rather  witness  your  failure  than  your  success. 
They  can  not  be  expected  to  pray  for  you  till  they  come  to 
a  better  understanding,  or  till  the  light  of  truth  and  the 
grace  of  Christ  remove  their  asperities  of  feeling. 

But,  brethren,  be  all  this  as  it  may,  pray  ior  yourselves. 
Pray  always,  as  did  Cornelius,  and  your  prayers  will  come 
up  for  a  memorial  before  God.  Pray  for  the  success  of  the 
gospel,  in  all  your  ministrations.    Pray  for  God's  blessing 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


281 


upon  every  organization,  and  that  your  people,  praying  in 
the  Holy  Ghost,  may  keep  themselves  in  the  love  of  God. 
Pray  for  the  inculcation  of  divine  love  in  all  your  inter- 
courses. Let  all  your  praying,  and  preaching,  and  lectur- 
ing be  conducted  in  the  spirit  of  love,  the  spirit  of  Christ. 
Pray  on,  brethren ;  always  pray,  and  faint  not,  and  you 
will  succeed  and  prosper,  despite  all  the  predictions  and 
machinations  of  those  who  may  desire  your  downfall.  And, 
brethren,  if  you  are  not  blessed  and  prospered,  note  this  : 
It  will  not  be  for  want  of  the  prayers  of  others,  but  for 
want  of  your  own  prayers. 

It  is  believed  that  this  timely  and  wise  counsel  was  not 
lost.  The  ensuing  year  was  one  of  unusual  prosperity  and 
increase  in  the  connection. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 


CONFERENCES   WITH  CLOSED  DOORS. 

IN  THESE  days  of  open  assemblies,  it  would  seem  in- 
credible that  the  Methodist  Annual  Conferences,  com- 
posed of  preachers  alone,  in  time  past,  were  accustomed  to 
transact  their  business  in  secret  session,  for  more  than  half 
a  century.  The  days  of  open  doors  were  not  seen  until 
the  reform  controversy  had  eventuated  in  developing  a  more 
liberal  Methodism.  We  have  obtained  the  following  testi- 
mony of  one  of  the  ancient  men,  an  early  Methodist,  and 
a  life-long  observer  of  Methodist  usages.  Thomas  McCor- 
mick,  of  Baltimore,  a  venerable  octogenarian,  as  elsewhere 
stated,  is  the  last  surviving  one  of  the  ministers  expelled 
for  Reform  in  that  city  in  1827: 

Baltimore,  Md.,  October  2,  1876. 
Dear  Brother  Bassett:  You  ask,  "Did  the  early 
Conferences  sit  with  closed  doors?"  I  answer  they  did, 
until  we  opened  them.  I  never  knew  an  Annual  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  to  allow  any  one 
except  members  of  the  Conference  to  be  present;  not  a 
local  preacher  or  official  member  of  the  church  ;  not  even 
those  on  trial  for  the  itinerancy,  until  they  were  received. 
If  a  local  preacher  had  an  appeal  pending  before  the  Con- 
ference, he  was  allowed  to  be  present  until  it  was  settled; 
then  he  must  retire.  Our  first  Conference  of  the  new 
organization  sat  in  Baltimore,  with  open  doors,  in  April, 
1829.  We  had  no  secrets  to  be  kept  from  the  people.  The 
282 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


283 


very  next,  or  at  least  the  second  Conference  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  thereafter,  opened  their  doors  a 
little  way,  allowing  some  of  the  official  members  in  the 
station  to  come  in.  And  the  next  year,  their  doors  were  as 
wide  open  as  ovirs.  Now,  who  opened  them,  if  we  did 
not?  I  will  tell  you  something  more,  by  way  of  proof  upon 
the  subject. 

In  the  year  1830,  my  health  having  somewhat  failed,  I 
retired  to  the  country  for  a  time.  Shortly  after,  on  coming 
into  the  city,  and  passing  along  the  street,  I  was  overtaken 
by  an  official  member  of  the  old  church,  and  who  was  one 
of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  who  brought  the  charges 
against  the  so-called  "Radicals,"  and  was  then  as  much  in 
earnest  as  any  of  them  to  have  us  expelled.  He  and  I, 
however,  had  continued  on  friendly  terms.  He  laid  his 
arm  on  my  shoulder,  on  the  street,  and  said:  "O,  brother 
Tommy,  I  wish  you  would  all  come  back  to  us."  "Well, 

brother  B  ,"  said  I,  "clear  the  way,  a  little  and  we  may 

doso."  "Well,"  said  he,  "what  do  yotrwant  ?"  "Lay  rep- 
resentation is  the  main  question."  He  replied  :  "I  begin  to 
think  zee  would  be  the  better  of  it."  I  was  never  more  aston- 
ished than  at  this  answer.  He  went  on  to  say:  "I  have 
been  up  at  the  Conference  (then  in  session  in  the  city),  and 
I  see  how  these  preachers  manage.  You  help  me,  and  I 
help  you  through ;  but  nobody  there  to  represent  the 
churches."  "Is  not  that,"  said  I,  "just  what  we  told  you 
long  ago?"  He  then  repeated:  "I  think  we  would  be  the 
better  of  it."  But  how  came  brother  B  in  that  Confer- 
ence ?  It  had  never  been  so  before  the  "Mutual  Rights" 
men  let  him  and  others  in.  And  the  doors  are  wide  open 
yet.  I  often  tell  our  Old  Side  brethren  that  they  are  in- 
debted to  us  for  their  open  doors;  and  they  can  not  deny 
it.  But  many  of  them  are  utterly  surprised  when  I  tell 
them  it  was  not  always  so.  I  speak  of  the  Annual  Confer- 
ences.   I  do  not  say  that  the  General  Conferences  were 


284 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


always  held  with  closed  doors.  I  was  often  in  them,  from 
1816  to  1824.  There  was  free  admission,  but  they  were 
not  crowded,  as  in  these  latter  times. 

Thomas  McCormick. 

The  writer  of  the  above  is  still  active,  cheerful  and  clear- 
headed, with  a  vigorous  memory.  It  would  seem  that  a 
kind  Providence  is  sparing  him  for  usefulness  to  them  that 
come  after  him.  The  writer  has  felt  it  a  great  privilege  to 
consult  his  memory  touching  various  matters  pertaining  to 
early  times,  now  that  nearly  all  his  former  compeers  have 
passed  away. 

Speaking  of  open  doors,  it  has  often  been  said  to  Meth- 
odist Protestants  (and  even  from  high  places):  ''The 
latch-string  of  the  old  homestead  is  hanging  out  —  you  had 
better  come  back  to  us."  We  have  no  doubt  our  old  friend, 
if  so  minded,  would  meet  a  cordial  reception,  and  no  ques- 
tions asked.  But  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  of 
1828,  in  his  case  and  ours,  stands  unmodified,  requiring 
humiliation  and  confession  before  a  Quarterly  Conference 
and  preacher  in  charge.  And  it  is  presumed  he  would  say, 
as  did  Paul  in  a  certain  instance:  "They  have  beaten  us 
openly,  uncondemned,  being  Romans,  and  cast  us  into  pris- 
on :  and  now  do  they  thrust  us  out  privily  ?  nay  verily  :  but 
let  them  come  themselves  and  fetch  us  out." 


CHAPTER  L. 


HISTORY   CONFIRMED — THOMAS   MC  CORMICK — DANIEL  WISE. 

JUST  afi  this  work  is  about  going  to  press,  the  author 
meets  with  the  valuable  testimony  given  below,  for 
which  he  is  very  grateful.  The  venerable  Rev.  Thomas  Mc- 
Cormick,  of  Baltimore,  now  in  his  eighty-sixth  year,  having 
read  advanced  impressions  of  two  of  the  early  chapters  of 
this  history,  communicates  to  the  columns  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant,  of  September  ist,  1877,  the  subjoined  statement 
of  his  personal  recollections.  The  editor  of  that  journal 
introduced  it  with  significant  head-lines,  thus: 

A    LIVING  WITNESS. 

He  testifies  to  the  truth  of  the  facts  stated  in  Brother  Bassett's  forthcom- 
ing History  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

The  writer  of  this  article  was  present  at  the  General 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  held  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  in  the  year  1820.  Was  present  at  the 
daily  sessions  of  the  body,  in  company  with  two  of  the 
members  from  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  who  were  my 
guests,  and  leading  Reformers,  not  only  on  the  Presiding 
Elder  question,  but  also  favoring  lay  delegation,  namely, 
Joseph  Rusling  and  Charles  Pitman.  Brother  Bassett  has 
given  the  facts  clearly,  but  of  course  could  not  give  all,  in 
detail,  not  being  present  to  witness  them.  The  Presiding 
Elder  question,  as  he  states,  had  been  "warmly  discussed," 
increasing  in  interest  every  day,  until  it  resulted  in  a  dead- 

285 


28G 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


lock.  A  committee  of  compromise  was  appointed,  of  which 
the  venerable  Ezekiel  Cooper  was  chairman.  The  report 
was  anxiously  looked  for  by  the  members  of  the  Conference. 
They  had  agreed  upon  a  plan  of  compromise,  which  they 
hoped  would  prove  satisfactory.  Their  venerable  chairman, 
with  tears  streaming  down  his  face,  in  the  midst  of  the  most 
profound  silence,  read  the  report,  which  was  heard  with  re- 
joicing, and  seemed  to  give  satisfaction  to  nearly  all ;  more 
than  two-thirds  of  the  whole  body  voting  for  it.  All  was 
now  quiet,  until  Joshua  Soule,  as  stated  by  Brother  Bassett, 
made  his  objection.  He  had  just  been  elected  bishop,  but 
not  ordained.  This  was  indeed  a  fire-brand  cast  into  the 
midst  of  the  Conference.  Some  were  for  going  home  at 
once,  and  thus  breaking  a  quorum.  Others  said,  if  Mr.  Soule 
should  offer  himself  for  ordination,  there  would  be  a  protest 
presented.  Bishop  McKendree,  who  was  not  in  good 
health,  and  had  not  been  in  regular  attendance  on  the  sit- 
tings of  the  body,  now  made  his  appearance  before  them, 
and  entered  his  protest  against  the  resolutions. 

Then  came  the  resolution  to  suspend  the  operation  of 
the  rule  for  four  years,  which  failed  for  the  time,  the  Con- 
ference voting  it  down.  How  then  was  it  that  it  finally 
passed?  The  opposers  of  the  compromise  went  to  work, 
and  by  the  next  morning  had  secured  a  bare  majority  to  sign 
their  names  to  a  paper,  and  I  believe  the  number  required 
was  forty-three.  When  the  Conference  met,  the  subject 
was  renewed,  and  some  of  the  members  began  to  discuss  it, 
when  the  Rev.  S.  G.  Rozzell  arose  with  the  said  paper  in 
his  hand,  the  forty-three  were  there,  and  they  could  not  go 
back  on  their  own  signatures.  This  ended  the  discussion, 
but  not  the  dissatisfaction  of  many.  The  suspension  reso- 
lutions were  carried.  These  proceedings  made  quite  a  num- 
ber of  new  recruits  to  the  Reformers'  ranks,  among  them 
the  Rev.  John  C.  French,  who  had  been  for  some  years  an 
itinerant  minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


287 


from  that  day  declared  himseif  a  Radical,  and  was  one  of  the 
chosen  expelled  ministers  in  Baltimore  in  1827. 

I  am  not  aware  that  there  is  another  person  living  that 
was  present  at  that  General  Conference,  and  that  took  any 
interest  in  the  business  then  and  there  transacted.  I  read 
those  chapters  from  Brother  Bassett's  work  with  much  in- 
terest, and  hope  the  book  will  soon  appear. 

Thomas  McCormick.. 

Baltimore,  August  1S//1,  1S77. 

JESEE  LEE  AND  BISHOP  ASBURY. 

We  had  occasion  in  this  volume  to  refer  to  the  great  in- 
terest taken  by  Mr.  Lee  in  the  discussion  of  the  Presiding 
Elder  question,  especially  to  his  pointed  and  exhaustive 
speeches  in  the  General  Conference  of  1812,  in  support  of 
Mr.  Snethen's  compromise  measure,  for  the  election  of 
Presiding  Elders  by  the  Conferences,  from  nominations  made 
by  the  bishop.  Daniel  Wise,  D.  D.,  has  two  very  interesting 
sketches  in  Zion's  Herald,  August  3d  and  17th,  1876,  on 
Jesse  Lee,  as  the  Apostle  of  New  England  Methodism. 
We  think  we  owe  it  to  our  readers  to  give  them  a  few  par- 
agraphs from  Dr.  Wise: 

"It  is  gratifying  to  those  New  Englanders  who  are  now 
contending  for  the  election  of  Presiding  Elders,  to  know 
that  their  apostle  was  a  determined  advocate  of  that  just 
and  essentially  conservative  measure  of  reform.  He  con- 
tended for  it  boldly,  especially  on  the  floor  of  the  General 
Conference  of  1S12,  when  Bishop  Asbury,  to  show  his  dis- 
like of  the  measure,  with  unpardonable  discourtesy,  turned 
his  back  upon  the  speaker  —  sitting  with  his  back  to  the 
Conference.  Some  one  charged  Lee  with  a  lack  of  com- 
mon sense;  whereupon  he  rose  and  said,  "Mr.  President, 

Brother  has  said  that  no  man  of  common  sense  would 

use  such  arguments  as  I  did  ...  I  am,  therefore,  compelled 
to  believe  the  brother  thinks  me  a  man  of  uncommon  sense.' 


283 


A   CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"  'Yes,  yes,'  said  Asbury,  turning  half  round  in  his  chair, 
'yes,  yes,  Brother  Lee,  you  are  a  man  of  uncommon  sense.' 

"  'Then,  sir,'  rejoined  the  ready-witted  Lee,  '  I  beg  that 
uncommon  attention  may  be  paid  to  what  I  am  about  to  say.' 

"This  retort,  which  contained  a  but  half-concealed  re- 
buke of  the  Bishop's  discourteous  conduct,  provoked  a 
smile  throughout  the  Conference,  but  did  not  prevent  the 
continuance  of  the  Bishop's  rudeness ;  for,  says  Leroy  M. 
Lee,  he  resumed  'his  face  to  the  wall  position.'  Lee  went 
on  with  his  speech,  and  sturdily  maintained  his  points,  as 
he  did  indeed  to  the  end  of  his  life.  His  good  sense  taught 
him  that  our  moderate  Episcopacy  needed  the  safe-guard  of 
an  elective  Presiding  Eldership  to  prevent  it  from  retrograd- 
ing into  the  most  absolute  example  of  High  Churchism 
known  in  modern  times.  Let  us  who  delight  to  know  his 
memory,  cling  to  his  ideas  on  this  question  with  that  tenacity 
of  purpose  which  was  one  of  his  marked  characteristics. 

"He  was  a  thorough  Methodist,  firm  in  his  attachment 
to  our  episcopal  form  of  government,  and  to  an  itinerant 
ministry,  yet  equally  firm  in  his  regard  for  the  utmost  possi- 
ble liberty  of  the  Annual  Conferences,  especially  in  their 
relation  to  the  Episcopacy.  He  had  the  courage  to  affirm 
what  every  man's  common  sense  perceives — that  admirable 
as  our  church  system  is,  it  is  'far  from  perfect.'  Because 
he  loved  Methodism,  he  labored  to  improve  it,  and  in  this 
he  was  assuredly  a  better  friend  to  its  perpetuity  than  those 
who  blindly  cling  to  its  imperfections.  Happily  for  our 
future,  his  spirit  is  yet  active  in  many  of  his  successors,  as 
was  proven  in  the  last  General  Conference.  We  believe 
it  will  before  long  accomplish  what  he  and  others  of  the 
greatest  among  our  fathers  sought,  but  failed  to  achieve." 


CHAPTER  LI.— Statistical. 

STATISTICS  OF  THE  METHODIST  CHURCH,  MAY  IITH,  1877. 


ANNUAL  CONFERENCES 


New  York  and  Penn'a   28 

New  Jersey   21 

Onondaga   54 

Genesee   17 

Pittsburgh   j  51 

Muskingum   64 

Ohio   47 

Michigan   51 

West  Michigan  |  53 

Indiana  ]  47 

North  Illinois  &  Wisconsin  44 

South  Illinois  '  24 

Iowa  I  57 

Minnesota  '  21 

Nebraska  

Kansas  

Oregon  

Missouri  

North  Missouri  

Tennessee  and  N.  Georgia 

Kentucky  

East  North  Carolina  

West  North  Carolina 


Total  '758  6j2  56,000  2,072  674  169  $1,494,347 


290  A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

STATISTICS  OF  THE  METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH,  MAY,  1877. 


ANNUAL 
CONFERENCES. 


Maryland  

Virginia  

West  Virginia  

North  Carolina  

Georgia  

Arkansas  and  La... 

Texas  

North  Mississippi.. 

North  Arkansas  

Alabama  

Pennsylvania  

Tennessee  

West  Tennessee  

111.  and  Des  Moines 

Indiana  

South  Carolina  

MeCaine  

Colorado  

South  Illinois  

Mississippi  

S.  E.  Missouri  


Methodist  Church. 


Totals . 


12.383 
3.300 
9,480 
9.3O0 
2,462 
2,645 
1,700 
1,300 
1,800 
2,900 
671 
1,209 
1,140 
500 
2,1 10 
1,075 
1,100 
800 
800 
580 
150 


204 
33 
93 
85 
42 
20 
15 
15 


556  320)  57,405  1,065 
758'6o2:   56,000  2,072 


'677j  Si  I  $1,168,389 
674.169]  1,494,347 


>I4:922'  113.405'  3.137  i,35i  250  $2,662,736 


We  have  information  that  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Conference  in  Massachusetts,  though  feeble  in  point  of 
numbers,  has  by  no  means  become  extinct.  We  still  have 
in  the  old  "Boston  District"  ministers  and  churches  retain- 
ing their  identity.  And  we  are  informed  that  an  Annual 
Conference  is  still  held,  though  it  has  not  for  several  years 
reported  its  proceedings. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


291 


LIST  OF  REPRESENTATIVES — METHODIST  CONVENTION. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  in  actual  attendance  at 
the  General  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Church,  assembled 
in  Baltimore.  May  nth,  1877.  The  nativity  of  each  mem- 
ber is  given,  so  far  as  the  writer  has  been  able  to  ascertain. 


New 

York  Conferenee. 

Joseph  J.  Smith,  ministerial 

,  New  Jersey, 

February  3,  1817. 

Mark  Staples, 

New  Hampshire, 

May  4,  1805. 

B.  F.  Swingle,  lay. 

New  Jersey. 

Thomcis  B.  Applcgctj  min., 

New  Jersey, 

February  5,  1840. 

E.  D.  Stullz,  " 

New  Jersey, 

May  19,  1822. 

R.  H.  Turner,  lay, 

J.  A.  Shcible,  " 

Onondaga. 

Nathan  R.  Swift,  min., 

New  York, 

April  25,  1 82 1. 

Ira  H.  Hogan,  " 

New  York, 

September  22,  1808. 

P.  Weaver,  lay. 

New  York, 

'February  14,  1S20. 

B.  G.  Swift,  " 

New  York, 

Aftgust  9,  1S16. 

Genesee. 

Elias  A.  Wheat,  ministerial. 

1  New  York, 

October  20,  1S18. 

Pittsburgh. 

Henry  Palmer,  ministerial, 

Ireland, 

May  12,  1812. 

John  Scott, 

Pennsylvania, 

October  27,  1820. 

William  Collier, 

Maryland, 

May  11,  1803. 

Alexander  Clark,  " 

Ohio, 

March  10,  1834. 

Thomas  H.  Colhouer,  " 

Marylan  d, 

June  9,  1829. 

G.  G.  Westfall, 

West  Virginia, 

November  9,  1830. 

Peter  T.  Laishley,  " 

England, 

January  I,  1798. 

Francis  H.  Pieipoint,  lay, 

West  Virginia, 

January  25,  1814. 

William  J.  Troth, 

Maryland, 

October  3,  1813. 

James  I.  Robinson,  " 

Pennsylvania, 

March  27,  1825. 

Samuel  J.  Cox,  " 

Pennsylvania, 

January  25,  1813, 

Andrew  Harper,  " 

New  York, 

October  6,  1818. 

George  W.  Pogue,  " 

Pennsylvania, 

July  4,  1827. 

292 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Muskingum. 
John  Burns,        ministerial,  Pennsylvania, 


David  Trueman,  " 

Pennsylvania, 

Joseph  A.  Thrap,  " 

Ohio, 

William  Hastings,  " 

Ohio, 

O.  V.  W.  Chandler,  » 

Ohio, 

Joel  S.  Thrap, 

Ohio, 

George  W.  Hissey,  " 

Ohio, 

Joseph  H.  Hamilton,  " 

Ohio, 

F.  A.  Brown,  *' 

Ohio, 

H.  E.  H.  Hartsock,  lay, 

Maryland, 

William  Gray,  " 

Ohio, 

Joel  H.  Carr, 

Ohio, 

V.  J.  Powelson, 

Ohio, 

J.  W.  Scott,  " 

Ohio, 

Dr.  James  Brown,  " 

Ohio, 

William  Portar,  '* 

Ohio. 

Reuben  Rose,  ministerial, 

Virginia, 

Ancel  H.  Bassett,  " 

Massachusetts, 

Cornelius  S.  Evans,  " 

Ohio, 

Wilson  R.  Parsons,  " 

Massachusetts, 

Joseph  J.  White,  " 

Vermont, 

George  W.  Kent,  lay, 

Ohio, 

George  15.  Hamilton,  " 

Ohio, 

Thompson  I)ouglass,  " 

Ohio, 

David  Dunbar,  " 

Ohio, 

Michigan. 

George  B.  McElroy,  min., 

Pennsylvania, 

J.  F.  Kellogg, 

Ohio, 

West  Michigan. 

John  Kost,  ministerial, 

Pennsylvania, 

Thomas  Gilkes,  lay, 

England, 

Erastus  Williams,  " 

Massachusetts, 

Indiana. 

Hugh  Stackhouse,  min., 

Kentucky, 

Joseph  H.  Luse,  " 

Ohio, 

April  10,  1808. 
August  30,  1817. 
October  1,  1839. 
July  30,  1829. 
February  8,  1848. 
April  9,  1820. 
February  28,  1826. 
July  23,  1826. 
November  5,  1838. 
December  9,  1814. 
May  8,  1825. 
November  29,  1825. 
December  2,  1813. 
November  1 1,  1822. 
January  26,  1819. 


September  20,  1813. 
July  1,  1809. 
September  6,  1832. 
March  13,  1821. 
June  3,  1S17. 
October  23,  1824. 
April  22,  1816. 
February  12.  1833. 
April  2,  1808. 
February  4,  1820. 

June  5,  1824. 
March  6,  1837. 

April  11,  1819. 
May  9,  1832. 
July  26,  1809. 

November  9,  1S37. 
Jai.uary  15,  1835 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


293 


The 


Indiana —  Comtinued. 
E.  Lancaster,  min.,  Maryland, 


San  ford  H.  Flood, 

S.  M.  Lowden, 

A.  D.  Whitford,  lay, 


P.  J.  Strong,  min., 

Jas.  M.  Mayall,  " 

Perry  F.  Remsburgh,  lay, 


Ohio, 
Kentucky, 
New  York, 

North  Illinois. 

Ohio, 

Maine, 

Ohio, 

South  Illinois. 


A.  L.  Reynolds,  ministerial,  Ohio, 


John  Puleston,  lay, 
C.  Link, 


E.  S.  Brown,  ministerial, 
Josiah  Selby,  " 
Win.  Remsburgh,  " 
Wm.  Huddleston,  " 
J.  N.  Shedenhelm,  lay, 
Thomas  Weidman,  " 


England, 
Virginia, 

Iowa. 

Illinois, 

Maryland, 

Maryland, 

Iowa, 

Ohio, 

New  Jersey, 
Nebraska. 


June  12,  1826. 
May  24,  1819. 
June  27,  1821. 
May  3,  1810. 


July  22,  1812. 
July  25,  1824. 
February  10,  1825. 


October  14,  1847. 
February  16,  1820. 
March  25,  1822. 


March  29,  1834. 
January  12,  1822. 
October  23,  1813. 
February  6,  1839. 
August  14,  1836. 
August  30,  1838. 


January  22,  1830. 


E.  T.  Hudson,  ministerial,  England, 
Missouri. 

Missouri,  August  25,  1844. 

North  Missouri. 

North  Carolina,     May  21,  1806. 
Oregon  Mission  Conference. 
W.  F.  West,  ministerial,       England,  July  11,  1824. 


T.  J.  Shepherd,  min., 


Gabriel  Wi 


The  oldest  member  of  this  Convention  was  Peter  T. 
Laishley,  of  Pittsburgh,  and  the  only  one  who  was  born  in 
the  eighteenth  century.  The  youngest  was  O.  V.  \V. 
Chandler,  of  Muskingum. 


294 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


LIST  OF  REPRESENTATIVES — METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CONVENTION. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  in  actual  attendance  at 
the  General  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
assembled  in  Baltimore,  May  n,  1877,  so  nearly  as  the 
writer  was  able  to  ascertain.  The  nativity  of  each  member 
is  given,  so  far  as  the  data  could  be  obtained. 


Maryland  Conference. 


Lawrence  W.  Bates,  mil 

1.,    New  Jersey, 

November  10,  1819. 

J.  K.  Nichols,  " 

Virginia, 

July  18,  18 1 7. 

John  J.  Murray,  " 

Maryland, 

May  8,  1824. 

S.  B.  Souther!;  nd,  " 

Maryland, 

May  21,  1817. 

David  Wilson,  " 

Pennsylvania, 

March  30,  1826. 

T.  D.  Valiant,  " 

Maryland, 

May  9,  1820. 

R.  S.  Norris,  " 

Maryland, 

August  7,  1820. 

J.  T.  Murray,  " 

Maryland, 

February  19,  1830. 

Daniel  W.  Bates,  " 

New  Jersey, 

June  10,  1815. 

Alienist  c  18?? 

E.  J.  Drinkhouse,  " 

Pennsylvania, 

March  26,  1830. 

B.  F.  Benson,  " 

Maryland, 

June  6,  1835. 

J.  W.  Hering,  lay, 

Maryland, 

March  8,  1833. 

Charles  W.  Button,  " 

Virginia, 

July  17,  1S22. 

O.  Hammond,  " 

J.  W.  Thompson,  " 

J.  G.  Clark, 

H.  F.  Zollickoffer,  " 

Maryland, 

June  16,  1824. 

W.  B.  Usilton, 

R.  S.  Griffith, 

Gavin  Spence,  " 

New  Jersey, 

April  24,  1826. 

S.S.  Ewall, 

John  Smith,  " 

Maryland, 

November  27,  lSc8. 

E.  B.  Bates, 

Maryland, 

March  23,  1 846. 

North  Carolina. 

William  H.  Wills,  min. 

,       North  Carolina, 

August  4,  1809. 

John  Paris,  " 

North  Carolina, 

September  1,  1809. 

John  G.  Whitfield,  » 

Virginia, 

September  I,  1810. 

T.  H.  Pegram,  " 

North  Carolina, 

January  II,  1825. 

METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


295 


R.  H.  Wills,  min 
George  E.  Hunt, 
J.  H.  Gilbreath, 
A.  W.  Lineberry, 
J.  L.  Micheaux, 
L.  W.  Batchelor, 
J.  M.  Hadley, 
J.  F.  Harris, 
S.  V.  Pickens, 
J.  C.  Roberts, 
J.  E.  Hunter, 
F.  H.  Whitaker, 


lay, 


North  Carolina, 
North  Carolina, 


Virginia, 
North  Carolina, 

North  Carolina, 

North  Carolina, 

North  Carolina, 

West  Virginia. 


October  10,  1836. 
September  29,  1839. 


September  I,  1824. 
January  13,  1823. 

March  25,  1818. 

February  3,  1832. 

March  28,  1828. 


George  Nestor,  mini 

terial, 

West  Virginia, 

March  19,  1818. 

W.  M.  Belts, 

Oliver  Lowthc  r,  ' 

West  Virginia, 

August  23,  1841. 

II.  P.  F.  King, 

J.  J.  Mason,  ' 

West  Virginia, 

October  27,  1830. 

M.  L.  Barnett, 

West  Virginia, 

April  5,  1839. 

G.  W.  Barrett, 

West  Virginia, 

April  15,  1835. 

E.  J.  Wilson, 

West  Virginia, 

June  14,  1844. 

Benjamin  Stout, 

West  Virginia, 

January  12,  1845. 

J.  Morris, 

lay, 

John  H.  Curry, 

Virginia, 

July  13,  1826. 

P.  Donly, 

William  Vandervort 

West  Virginia, 

May  26,  181 7. 

W.  Mearns, 

C.  P.  Hudson, 

D.  Bassell, 

Pennsylvania. 
J.  K.  Helmbold,  ministerial,  Pennsylvania, 
Virginia. 

George  R.  Barr,  ministerial,  North  Carolina, 
W.  E.  Jones,  lay. 

Georgia. 


F.  H.  M.  Henderson,  min. 
W.  D.  Mitchell,  lay, 


South  Carolina, 
Georgia, 


June  2,  1820. 
July  25,  1810. 


November  27,  1831. 
December  23,  1833. 


296 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Alabama. 

Beniah  S.  Bibb,  lay,  Georgia,  September  30,  1796. 

Tennessee. 

B.  F.  Duggan,  ministerial,    North  Carolina,     January  22,  1820. 
William  Collins,  lay. 

West  Tennessee. 

S.  O.  Hooper,  lay. 

Arkansas  and  Louisiana. 

J.  M.  P.  Hickerson,  min.,    Tennessee,  June  22,  1826. 

G.  M.  Adamson,  lay. 

Texas. 

J.  S.  York,  ministerial,         Georgia,  April  17,  1834. 

Illinois  and  DesMoines. 
J.  E.  Darby,  ministerial,       Maryland,  November  9,  1840. 

Indiana. 

G.  W.  Boxell,  ministerial. 
W.  A.  Quick,  lay. 

The  oldest  member  of  this  Convention  was  Beniah  S. 
Bibb,  of  Alabama,  and  the  only  one  who  was  born  in  the 
eighteenth  century.  The  youngest  was  E.  B.  Bates,  of 
Maryland. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


297 


LIST    OF  PRESIDENTS 

Of  Annual  Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Church,  holding  Office  May 
I  Ith,  1877,  with  their  Post-Office  Addresses. 

Mark  Staple,  New  York  Conference,  Norwalk,  Connecticut. 

E.  D.  Stults,  New  Jersey  Conference,  Squan,  Monmouth 
County,  New  Jersey. 

James  Smith,  Onondaga  Conference,  Red  Creek,  Wayne  County, 
New  York. 

C.  K.  Akeley,  Genessee  Conference,  Gerry,  Chautauqua  County, 
New  York. 

T.  H.  COLHOUER,  Pittsburgh  Conference,  40  Esplanade  Street, 
Allegheny  City,  Pennsylvania. 

G.  W.  Hissey,  Muskingum  Conference,  Zanesville,  Ohio. 

C.  S.  Evans,  Ohio  Conference,  Springfield,  Ohio. 

J.  F.  KELLOG,  Michigan  Conference,  Adrian,  Michigan. 
\V.  D.  TOMPKINSON,  West  Michigan  Conference,  Kalamazoo, 
Michigan. 

S.  M.  Shumvvay,  Indiana  Conference,  Greenfield,  Hancock 
County,  Indiana. 

W.  H.  Robertson,  North  Illinois  Conference,  Sheridan,  LaSalle 
Illinois. 

A.  L.  REYNOLDS,  South  Illinois  Conference,  Odin,  Illinois. 

E.  S.  Brown,  Iowa  Conference,  Milton,  Yan  Buren  County,  Iowa. 

Stephen  Jones,  Minnesota  Conference,  Chatfield,  Fillmore 
•County,  Minnesota. 

E.  T.  HUDSON,  Nebraska  Conference,  Lincoln,  Nebraska. 

R.  Baker,  Kansas  Conference,  Sternerton,  Kansas. 

John  Jones,  Missouri  Conference,  Leroy,  Missouri. 

G.  Williams,  North  Missouri  Conference,  Breckenridge,  Cald- 
well County,  Missouri. 

D.  Bagi.ey,  Oregon  Conference,  Seattle.  Washington  Territory. 
James  Losey,  Kentucky  Conference,  Hunnewell  Furnace,  Ky. 
William  L.  Witcher,  Tennessee  and  North  Georgia  Confer- 

•ence,  Cleveland,  Tennessee. 

Q.  Holton,  Eastern  North  Carolina  Conference,  Jamestown, 
North  Carolina. 

James  Humphreys,  Western  North  Carolina  Conference,  Em- 
foerville,  Tennessee. 


298 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


LIST   OF  PRESIDENTS 

Of  Annual  Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  holding 
Office  May  II,  1 877,  with  their  Post- Office  Addressess. 

D.  W.  Bates,  Maryland  Conference,  8  Parkin  Street,  Baltimore, 
Maryland. 

G.  R.  Barr,  Virginia  Conference,  Abingdon,  Virginia. 

J.  J.  Poynter,  West  Virginia  Conference,  Bohtown,  Marion 
County,  West  Virginia. 

A.  W.  Lineberry,  North  Carolina  Conference,  Greensboro', 
North  Carolina. 

G.  W.  Morris,  Georgia  Conference,  Decatur,  Georgia. 

E.  C.  Hearn,  Arkansas  and  Louisiana  Conference,  Eden,  Col- 
umbia County,  Arkansas. 

R.  Boyd,  Texas  Conference,  Cooper,  Delta  County,  Texas. 

W.  M.  Nabors,  North  Mississippi  Conference,  Dumas,  Tippah 
County,  Mississippi. 

A.  J.  Stumbaugh,  North  Arkansas  Conference,  Johnsonville, 
Johnson  County,  Arkansas. 

A.  G.  Grove,  Alabama  Conference,  Warsaw,  Sumpter  County, 
Alabama. 

E.  Red,  Mississippi  Conference. 

B.  F.  DUGGAN,  Sr.,  Tennessee  Conference,  Unionville,  Bedford 
County,  Tennessee. 

Z.  Biggs,  West  Tennessee  Conference,  Trenton,  Gibson  County, 
Tennessee. 

C.  M.  Smith,  South  Carolina  Conference,  Cross  Anchor,  Spar- 
tenburg,  South  Carolina. 

H.  L.  Williamson,  McCaine  Conference,  Dresden,  Naivarro 
County,  Texas. 

Thomas  Aaron,  Colorado  Conference,  Waco,  McLehman  Comi- 
ty, Texas. 

O.  C.  Payne,  Pennsylvania  Conference,  Hollisterville,  Wayne 
County  Pennsylvania. 

A.  B.  Rineer,  Indiana  Conference,  Priam,  Blackford  County, 
Indiana. 

John  Sexsmith,  Illinois  and  DesMoines  Conference,  Winches- 
ter, Missouri. 

E.  C.  G.  Nickens,  South  Illinois  Conference,  Ullin,  Pulaski, 
Illinois. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


299 


EPITOME  OF  GENERAL  CONFERENCES  AND  CONVENTIONS. 


Convention   Baltimore   Nov.  1827        N.  Snethen. 

Convention   Baltimore  Nov.  12,  1828  N.  Snethen. 

Convention   Baltimore   Nov.  2,  1830  Francis  Waters. 

General  Conference  Georgetown  May  6,  1834  N.  Snethen. 

General  Conference  Pittsburgh  May  15,  1838  Asa  Shinn. 

General  Conference!Baltimore  |May  3,   1842  Asa  Shinn. 

General  Conference  Cincinnati  |May  5,  1846  Francis  Waters.. 

General  Conference  Baltimore  May  7,   1 850  Levi  R.  Reese. 

General  Conference  Steubenville        May  2,   1854  John  Burns. 

Convention   Zanesville   Nov.  I,  1854  John  Burns. 

Convention   Baltimore  June  6,  1855  B.  S.  Bibb. 

Convention   Springfield  [Nov.  5,   1856  John  Burns. 

Convention  Cincinnati  JNov.  11,  1857  William  Collier. 

General  Conference  Lynchburg  'May  4,   1858;  W.  C.  Lipscomb. 

Convention   Springfield          Nov.  10,  1858  George  Brown. 

Convention  ^Pittsburgh          Nov.  14,  i860  George  Brown. 

General  ConferenceGeorgetown        May  6,   1862  Francis  Waters. 

Convention  'Cincinnati          Nov.  5,  1862  George  Brown. 

General  Confer'ce*  Georgetown        May  9,   1865  Francis  Waters. 

General  Conference  Georgetown        May   I,   1866  Win.  H.  Wills. 

General  Conference  Allegheny          Nov.  14,  1866  John  Scott. 

General  Conference  Cleveland   May  15,  1867  Thos.  B.  Graham 

Convention   Montgomery  ...  May  7,   1867  J.  J.  Murray. 

General  Conference  East  Baltimore  May  6,   1870  J.  G.  Whitfield. 

General  Conference  Pittsburgh  May  17,  187 r  F.  H.  Pierpoint. 

General  Conference  Lynchburg         May  I,   1874  L.  W.  Bates. 

General  Conferencej Princeton,  111...  May  19,  1875  John  Burns. 

Convention  (Meth)  Baltimore   May  II,  1877  J.  I.  Smith. 

Convention  (M.  P.) I Baltimore   May  11,  1877  L.  W.  Bates. 

Convention   Baltimore   May  16,  1877  L.  W.  Bates. 

General  Conference  Pittsburgh          May,  1880  


kA(ljourned  Session. 


300  A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

SESSIONS  OF  OHIO  CONFERENCE,  METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


Cincinnati  

Cincinnati  

Zanesville  

Pittsburgh  

Cincinnati  

Louisville,  Ky  

Madison,  Ind  

Cincinnati  

Springfield  

Tanner's  Creek,  Ind. 

Cincinnati  

S  pringfield  

Cincinnati  

Jellbrook  

Cincinnati  

Port  William  

Springfield  

Cincinnati  

Lebanon  , 

Bainbridge  

Cincinnati  

Gilboa  

Bellbrook  

Cincinnati  

Richwood  

Chillicothe  

Cincinnati  

Lebanon  

Mechanicsburg  

Middletown  

Springfield  

Mount  Blanchard.... 

Richwood  

Middletown   

Cincinnati  

Sabina  

Lebanon  

Springfield  

Mechanicsburg  

Mount  Blanchard  

North  I.ouisburg  .... 

Bell  brook  

Mechanicsburg  , 

Manchester  


*Ancel  II.  Kussett  ' 


Asa  Shinn. 
Cornelius  Springer. 
George  Brown. 
George  Brown. 
George  Brown. 
John  Clarke. 
William  B.  Evans. 
Robert  Dobbins. 
John  B.  Lucas. 
Adjet  McGuire. 
Jonathan  Flood. 
Ancel  H.  Bassett. 
Ancel  H.  Bassett. 
Ancel  H.  Bassett. 
William  B.  Evans. 
Ancel  H.  Bassett. 
John  M.  Young. 
John  M.  Young. 
John  M.  Young. 
Joseph  J.  White. 
Sanford  H.  Euans. 
William  B.  Evans. 
Jonathan  M.  Flood. 


Walter  G.  Fowler. 
Charles  Caddy. 
;  Ambrose  H.  Trumbo. 
Reuben  Rose. 
Oliver  P.  Stephens. 
Daniel  Kinney. 
Charles  Caddy. 
Robert  K.  Davis. 
Samuel  B.  Smith. 
Thomas  B.  Graham. 
Daniel  Kinney. 
Martin  V.  B.  Euans. 
Martin  V.  B.  Euans. 
Thomas  B.  Graham. 
Thomas  B.  Graham. 
Jonathan  M.  Flood. 
Joseph  J.  White. 
Wilson  R.  Parsons. 
Martin  V.  B.  Euans. 
Jonathan  M.  Flood. 
Jonathan  M.  Flood. 
Reuben  Rose."* 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 
SESSIONS  OF  OHIO  CONFERENCE — Continued. 


SOI 


IS74 
1875 

1876 

1877 

Reuben  Rose. 

Spring  Valley  

Cornelius  S.  Evans. 

Middletown  

Cornelius  S.  Evans. 

Cornelius  S.  Evans. 

SESSIONS  OF  PITTSBURGH  CONFERENCE,  METHODIST  PROTESTANT 
CHURCH. 


1 834. 

Mount  Pleasant,  O. 

1856 

Cherry-Tree  Circuit. 

ifilr 
i»35- 

Steuben  vi  lie. 

i»57. 

Pi  t  tsburgh . 

1836. 

Pittsburgh. 

1858. 

Connellsville. 

1837. 

Wheeling. 

1859. 

Sharpsburg. 

1838. 

Lr.ncas:er,  O. 

i860. 

Pleasant  Valley. 

1839. 

New  Lisbon,  0. 

1861. 

New  Brighton. 

1840. 

Steubenville. 

1862. 

Allegheny. 
Wellsburg. 

1841. 

Allegheny. 

1863. 

1842. 

Mount  Vernon,  O. 

1864. 

Eldersville. 

1843- 

Pittsburgh. 

1865. 

Elizabeth. 

1844. 

Fairmont. 

1866. 

Waynesburg. 

1845- 

Connellsville. 

1867. 

Uniontown. 

1846. 

Allegheny. 

1868. 

New  Brighton. 

1S47. 

Waynsburg. 

1869. 

Fairmont. 

1848. 

Fairmont. 

1870. 

Allegheny. 

1849- 

Pittsburgh. 

1871. 

Eldersville. 

1850. 

Uniontown. 

1872. 

Beaver  Falls. 

185.. 

Morgantown. 

1873- 

Birmingham. 

1852. 

Pruntytown..  \V.  Va. 

1874. 

Connellsville. 

'853- 

Washington. 

1875. 

Castle  Shannon. 

1854. 

Allegheny. 

1876. 

Bellevue. 

i855- 

Bridgeport. 

1877. 

Fairmont. 

The  above  list  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  sessions  is 
taken  from  the  sketch  by  brother  John  Gregory,  the  Secre- 
tary, published  in  the  Methodist  Recorder  of  September  2  2d, 
1877.  It  does  not  give  the  list  of  the  Presidents,  or  we 
would  gladly  have  embraced  it  here. 


302 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


SESSIONS  OF  MUSKINGUM  CONFERENCE. 

The  writer  is  able  to  record  only  the  early  sessions  of 
this  Conference,  from  the  first.  It  may  open  the  way  for 
some  statistician  to  bring  up  the  residue. 


1842 
1843 
1S44 
1845 
1S46 
1847 
1S48 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1S52 
1853 
1854 


Set  off"  from  Pittsburgh 

Cambridge  

Gratiot  

Coshocton   

Steubenville  

Youngstown   

Cambridge  

Brownsville  

Cadiz  

Steubenville  

Fredericktown  

Zanesville  

Cambridge  


Israel  Thrap. 
Joel  Dalbey. 
Zechariah  Ragan. 
Zechariah  Ragan. 
George  Clancy. 
George  Clancy. 
Zechariah  Ragan. 
Jacob  Nichols. 
Jacob  Nichols. 
Israel  Thrap. 
John  Burns. 
John  Burns. 


MUSKINGUM  CONFERENCE — PROGRESS  IN  TEN  YEARS. 

A  statistical  paper,  introduced  at  the  session  of  the  Mus- 
kingum Conference,  1877,  by  David  Trueman,  a  senior 
member  of  that  body,  was  regarded  with  much  interest. 
The  chief  portion  of  it,  presenting  the  status  and  progress 
of  that  Conference,  is  here  inserted. 

1866.  1876. 

"  Itinerant  ministers   50  68 

Unstationed  ministers  and  preachers.  46  57 

Membership   6,ou  9,006 

Churches   119  130 

Parsonages   6  8 

Value  of  church  property  $142,050  $161,157 

Sabbath-schools   98  108 

Scholars   4,789  6,915 

"From  our  official  statistics  we  gather,  encouragement. 
"1.  As  human  character  is  not  usually  made  in  a  day, 
nor  by  one  or  two  successful  efforts,  neither  is  the  character 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


303 


of  a  religious  denomination  or  Annual  Conference.  In  the 
aggregate,  we  have  gained.  Our  growth  has  been  gradual 
but  permanent.  To-day  we  are  stronger  than  ever  before 
in  numbers,  in  all  the  essential  elements  of  usefulness,  in 
educational  facilities,  and  in  moral  power. 

"2.  While  our  statistics  show  a  net  annual  increase, 
our  Sabbath-schools  have  been  proportionately  enlarged,  so 
that  now,  to  every  one  hundred  members  in  church  fellow- 
ship, there  are  seventy-eight  Sabbath-school  scholars  in 
training  for  the  Master's  work. 

"3.  Though  some  of  our  beloved  fathers  and  brethren 
have  fallen  asleep ;  Springer,  Sears,  Case  and  others  have 
been  transferred  from  earthly  circuits  to  heavenly  stations, 
yet  while  we  sorrow  by  their  vacant  seats,  we  rejoice  that 
their  mantles  have  fallen  upon  younger  men  of  talents, 
piety  and  promise. 

'•4.  Now  that  the  cloud  of  our  nation's  financial  embar- 
rassment is  lifting,  and  our  means  of  improvement  multi- 
plying, our  borders  enlarging,  and  our  numbers  increasing; 
now  that  the  sundered  elements  of  our  denomination  have 
been  consolidated,  the  cause  of  dismemberment  forever  re- 
moved, and  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  stands  out 
before  the  world,  one  and  undivided,  strong  in  apostolical 
polity,  strong  in  evangelical  principles,  and  strong  in  unity 
of  purpose,  let  us  thank  God,  take  courage,  and  repair  to 
our  several  fields  of  labor,  strong  in  faith,  and  rejoicing  in 
hope." 


304  A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

OBITUARY  RECORD  OF  THE  OHIO  CONFERENCE — IN  PART. 


Asa  Shinn   N.  J.,  May  3, 

Cornelius  Springer        Del.,  Dec.  30, 

George  Brown   Penn.,  Jan.  29, 

William  B.  Evans          Penn.,  Mar.18, 

Robert  Dobbins  iPenn.,  Apr. 20, 

Adjet  McGuire  :Penn.,  Oct.  18, 

Jonathan  Flood   Va.,  Dec.  29, 

John  Wilson  'Ire.,  July  26, 

B.  Goldsbury  Va.,  May  24, 

Jacob  Myers   N.  J.,  Oct.  27, 

Saul  Henkle   Va.,  Jan.  9,  1 

William  Reeves   Eng.,  Dec.  5, 

Evart  Richman   N.  J.,  Eeb.  26, 

Joel  Dalbey,  Sr   Va.,  June  27, 

Joel  Dalbey,  Jr  iOhio,"  June  I, 

Josiah  Foster   Penn.  Jan.  25, 

William  H.  Collins....  Ire.,  Nov.  21, 

Moses  M.  Henkle         Va.,  Mar.  23, 

William  Hughey          Ky.,  April  18, 

Samuel  Thompson        Maine,  Oct.  5, 

Edward  E.  Parrish        Va.,  Nov.  20, 

Reddick  H.  Horn         N.  C,  June  6, 

Joseph  Thrap   Md.,  Oct.  16, 

Jeremiah  L.  Leslie        Md.,  Oct.  9, 

William  Hamilton  'Penn.,  May  I, 

John  Price   Penn.  Feb.  23, 

Charles  Avery   N.  Y.,  Dec.  10, 

Lewis  Browning   Md.   Nov.  3, 

Jeremiah  Browning....  Md.,  July  n, 

Charles  Scott   Ireland,  1 75 1 .. 

Nicholas  Snethen          N.  Y.,  Nov.  15, 

Zechariah  Kagan          Penn.  Feb.  22, 

William  Young   Penn.  Aug.  8, 

George  Wheatley  ;  Penn.  May  15, 

Thomas  Ilicklin   Ky.,  May  23, 

James  McClain   Eng.,  Dec.  12, 

Isaac  Hunt   Vermont,  Mar. 

David  Moore  Ohio,  Sept.  12, 

David  Crall   Md.,  Feb  5, 

Reuben  M.  Dalbey  Ohio,  August, 

Oliver  P.  Stephens        Ohio,  June  24, 

Thomas  H.  Stockton...  N.  J.,  June  4, 
Joseph  A.  Waterman..  N.  H.  Mar.  10, 
Perry  F.  Johnson  |Ohio,  Mar.  10, 


1 781.  Vermont,  Feb.  11,  1853. 

1790.  Ohio,  August  17,  1875. 

1792.  Ohio,  October  25,  1871. 

1794.  Ohio,  March  10,  1873. 
1768.  Ohio,  January  13,  i860. 

1778.  Ohio,  July  26,  1857. 

1781.  Indiana,  Oct.  21,  1867 
1786.  Ohio,  Nov.  23,  1867. 
1777.  Ohio,  Dec.  22,  i864. 

1779.  Illinois,  May  7,  1851. 
782...  Ohio,  Nov.  15,  1837. 
1802.  Penn.,  April  20,  187 1. 

1793.  Ohio,  August  19,  1830. 
1777.  Indiana,  March  9,  1859. 
1810.  Missouri,  Nov.  22,1869. 
1772.  Ohio,  October  9,  1840. 

1795.  Illinois,  Nov.  9,  1869. 
1798.  Virginia,  June  8,  1864. 
1792.  Ohio,  May  24,  1869. 

1782.  Iowa,  October  24,  1867. 

1791.  Oregon,  Oct.  24,  1874. 
1 790. 'Nebraska,  Jan.  8,  1858. 
1776.  jOhio,  May  12,  1866. 
1776.  ,Ohio,  Feb.  5,  1857. 

789. [Ohio,  August  8,  1867. 


1784. 
1784 
1765. 
1778. 


Ohio,  July  8,  1832. 
Penn.,  Jan.  17,  1858. 
VV.  Va.,  Sept.  2,  1853. 
W.  Va.,  June  12,  1843. 
Penn.,  Dec.  7,  1840. 
1 769 1  Indiana,  May  30,  1855. 
1S04.  Ohio.  Nov.  27,  1875. 
1796.  Ohio,  June  3,  1871. 
1802.  Missouri,  Nov.  30,1874 
1808.  Indiana,  Dec.  26,  1845. 
1776.  Indiana,  April  16,  1868. 
1790  Oregon,  Jan.  7,  1874. 
1808  Ohio,  Sept.  18,  1876. 
1798.  Ohio,  Sept.  11,  1876. 
1816.  Ohio,  July  10,  1875. 
1820  Ohio,  Nov.  6,  1873. 
1808.  Penn.,  October  9,  1868. 
1798  Ohio,  May  13,  1852. 
1S23  Ohio,  Jan.  18,  1875. 


The  first  thirty  names  above  were  enrolled  at  the  first  session,  1829. 


CHAPTER  LII. 


THE  SECESSION  OF  JAMES  O'KELLEY. 


•HE  writer  has  felt  it  his  duty  to  prepare  for  insertion 


1  in  this  work  some  historical  account  of  other  princi- 
pal secessions  and  minor  organizations  of  Methodism  in 
the  United  States.  In  this  chapter,  and  the  three  following 
chapters,  he  endeavors  to  fulfill  this  service. 

James  O'Kelley  was  an  associate  with  Mr.  Asbury,  as  a 
Methodist  itinerant,  from  as  early  as  the  year  1777.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  presiding  elders,  and  served  in  that  re- 
lation for  eight  years.  It  is  recorded  of  him  that  he  was  a 
pious  and  good  man — a  powerful  and  successful  preacher. 
But,  as  has  been  related  in  the  body  of  this  work,  he  took 
earnest  ground  against  the  arbitrary  power  of  the  bishops. 
In  the  Conference  of  1792,  he  introduced  a  resolution  that 
an  appeal  be  allowed  to  a  preacher  when  dissatisfied  will: 
his  appointment.  This  was  warmly  discussed  for  several 
days,  but  was  finally  lost.  Hereupon,  Mr.  O'Kelley,  with 
several  other  preachers  (one  of  whom  was  William  Me- 
Kendree),  withdrew  from  the  connection,  because  unwill- 
ing to  serve  under  such  arbitrary  rule.  The  withdrawal  of 
O'Kelley  was  a  "sorrowful  day"  to  Jesse  Lee,  as  related  by 
his  biographer,  and  many  of  the  preachers  (as  he  states) 
wept  heartily.  But  after  he  ceased  to  serve  in  the  interests- 
of  the  Episcopacy,  efforts  were  made  to  injure  and  stigma- 
tize him.  He  continued  to  labor  in  the  gospel,  and  had 
many  adherents  in  the  ministry  and  membership,  chiefly  in 


u 


3°5 


30G 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Virginia,  where  he  lived.  Yet  he  was  charged  with  heresy 
in  his  views  of  the  Deity  of  Jesus,  and  the  same  was  im- 
puted to  his  followers.  Intimation  of  this  is  given  in  Lee's 
"History  of  the  Methodists."  But  the  writer  is  satisfied 
that  injustice  was  done  him  in  these  imputations,  and  he 
here  feels  called  to  place  on  record  some  vindication  of  the 
history  of  that  good  man. 

James  O'Kelley  died  October  16,  1826.  After  his 
death,  the  tongue  of  slander  was  hardly  hushed.  But  his 
character  was  fully  disabused  by  several  writers  who  knew 
him  well.  We  extract  the  following  testimony  from  a 
writer  in  the  Baltimore  Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelli- 
gencer of  October  5,  1827  : 

"Many  slanders  have  been  leveled  at  this  eminently 
great  and  pious  minister  of  Christ.  It  has  been  repre- 
sented that  his  soul  was  ambitious,  his  doctrines  heterodox 
— that  he  withdrew  because  he  was  not  made  a  bishop. 
This  senseless  charge  has  been  circulated  with  much  se- 
riousness by  some  of  the  'divinely  authorized.'  He  was 
charged  with  being  a  Unitarian,  and  of  denying  the  divine 
character  of  our  common  Savior.  I  was  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  him  for  thirty-five  years,  in  which  period  I 
have  been  with  him,  at  different  times,  for  months  together. 
I  knew  as  much  of  his  sentiments  as  any  human  being  upon 
earth ;  and  I  declare,  before  God,  that  he  always  contended 
for  the  divinity  of  Christ,  and  the  fullness  and  extent  of  his 
atonement,  with  a  strength  of  thought  and  energy  of  ex- 
pression that  I  have  never  heard  equaled  by  any  other  man. 
This  was  the  subject  of  the  last  sermon  I  ever  heard  him 
deliver,  when  bending  under  the  weight  of  almost  ninety 
years.  His  superior  as  a  Christian,  or  his  equal  as  a 
preacher,  1  have  never  yet  seen.  He  died  in  the  triumphs 
of  faith,  and  is  now  in  the  heavenly  kingdom.  He  was 
the  friend  and  instructor  of  my  youth,  and  his  memory 
shall  ever  be  dear  to  me. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


307 


"About  the  year  1794,  Mr.  O'Kelley  and  others,  who 
had  withdrawn  from  the  Episcopal  Methodists  at  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  1792,  with  several  societies  and  local 
preachers,  formed  themselves  into  an  independent  church, 
and  called  it  the  'Republican  Methodist  Church.'  This 
name  it  bore  for  several  years,  until  a  majority  concluded 
that  the  disciples  of  Christ  should  be  called  by  his  name, 
'Christians,'  as  the  primitive  saints  were  first  called  at 
Antioch.  This  name,  therefore,  they  adopted.  A  few 
opposed  the  adoption,  and  retained  the  former  name,  but 
this  party  afterwards  became  extinct.  The  church  in  con- 
nection with  Mr.  O'Kelley  always  did,  and  still  does  be- 
lieve, and  her  ministers  preach  the  doctrine  of  a  Trinity, 
the  divinity  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  his  atonement  for  lost 
sinners,  as  fully  and  closely  as  any  people  on  earth.  Some 
years  after  the  organization  of  this  church,  a  sect  sprung  up 
in  New  England,  who  are  strictly  Unitarians;  also  calling 
themselves  the  'Christian'  Church.  They  are  understood 
to  deny  the  divinity  of  Christ  and  the  doctrine  of  vicarious 
atonement.  They  refuse  baptism  to  infants,  and  adminis- 
ter it  by  immersion  to  adults  alone.  Seventeen  or  eighteen 
years  ago,  a  missionary  was  sent  from  this  body,  named 
Plummer,  who  attended  a  general  meeting  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Mr.  O'Kelley  asked  him:  'If  Jesus  Christ  were 
now  upon  earth,  and  you  knew  it  were  he,  would  you  wor- 
ship him  ?'  He  answered  :  'No,  no  sooner  than  I  would 
you;  for  I  do  not  believe  he  was  any  more  divine.'  Mr. 
O'Kelley  replied:  'Then  I  have  no  fellowship  for  you.'  " 

But  it  is  added  that,  being  a  man  of  insinuating  address, 
he  drew  off  many  both  traveling  and  local  preachers,  at 
that  time  in  connection  with  Mr.  O'Kelley,  and  proselyted 
some  of  the  most  numerous  societies  in  Virginia,  and  a  few 
in  North  Carolina.  "But  there  is  no  intercourse  between 
these  churches.  Those  who  remained  firm  to  their  first 
doctrines,  refused  all  fellowship  with  this  heterodox  party. 


308 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


But  being  called  by  the  same  general  name,  the  same  het- 
rodoxy  is  by  many  indiscriminately  ascribed  to  all,  for  the 
want  of  information,  if  not  from  design,  in  those  who  know 
better.  The  charge  of  Arianism  bestowed  upon  the  ortho- 
dox Christian  Church  (namely,  the  church  in  which  Mr. 
O'Kelley  lived  in  full  fellowship),  greatly  retarded  its  ad- 
vancement. But  in  spite  of  all  opposition,  it  is  gradually 
increasing.  It  has  respectable,  pious  and  useful  preachers, 
some  of  them  of  superior  talents,  and  several  thousand 
members." 

We  learn  from  our  venerable  friend,  Peter  T.  Laishley, 
the  senior  member  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  that  he 
was  converted  and  licensed  to  preach  among  the  people 
called  O'Kelleyites.  That  on  September  20,  1820,  at  a 
woods  meeting,  in  Frederick  County,  Va. ,  he  was  ordained 
an  elder  by  Joseph  Thomas  (afterwards  known  as  the  W  hite 
Pilgrim),  and  two  other  elders,  in  fellowship  with  the  Re- 
publican Methodists.  He  states  that,  when  at  a  subsequent 
day,  he  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
he  was  received  on  the  papers  furnished  him  at  the  time  re- 
ferred to ;  that  he  never  received  any  others.  He  speaks 
of  an  excitement  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  caused  by  the 
proselyting  labors  of  certain  ninisters  of  the  so-called 
Christian  order,  who,  it  seems,  represented  Kentucky  as 
well  as  New  England.  During  that  excitement  he  left  the 
parts,  and  emigrated  to  West  Virginia.  Brother  Laishley 
says,  playfully,  "I  trace  my  origin  back  to  O'K.  (O'Kel- 
ley) and  think  it  all  O.  K.  to  have  been  an  early  Reformer, 
and  I  think  it  will  be  all  O.  K.  if  we  bring  about  an  honor- 
able union  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  in  May,  1877." 


CHAPTER  LIII. 


THE  METHODIST   REFORMED  CHURCH. 

ON  ACCOUNT  of  dissatisfaction  with  the  government 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  secessions  took 
place  in  Northern  New  York,  and  in  several  New  England 
States,  in  the  year  1814.  On  January  16th,  of  that  year, 
at  a  Convention  held  at  Readsborough,  Vt,  Elijah  Bailey, 
President,  and  Ezra  Amadon,  Secretary,  it  was  resolved  to 
withdraw  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  to  form 
themselves  into  a  society  by  the  name  of  the  Methodist 
Reformed  Church  or  Society,  and  to  adhere,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, to  the  practical  principles  of  Primitive  Methodism. 

From  a  publication  issued  by  Ivory  Sherwin,  James- 
town, N.  Y.,  in  1827,  we  learn  that  the  declared  object  of 
this  withdrawal  and  new  organization  was,  "to  revolution- 
ize the  mode  of  governing  the  church,  and  make  it  com- 
patible with  the  liberties  of  our  country."  The  plea  stated 
in  behalf  of  this  measure  was:  "The  bishop  orders  a  circuit 
preacher  where  he  pleases;  and  to  refuse  going  is  location, 
and  probably  exclusion  from  the  connection.  The  preach- 
ers govern  the  circuit  as  they  please;  and  to  refuse  obedi- 
ence is  excommunication.  They  can  take  in  and  exclude 
members,  when  and  where  they  please,  and  the  Discipline 
will  sustain  them  in  so  doing.  The  greatest  reason  why 
they  do  not  oftener  use  the  power  given  them  is,  because 
the  fault  of  their  system  would  then  be  too  obvious  to  the 
people.    Yet  they  have  among  them  many  good  preachers 

3°9 


310 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


who  do  not  wish  to  rule;  but  yet  they  can,  for  the  govern- 
ment is  nowhere  elective,  or  under  the  control  of  the 
church." 

The  principles  adopted  by  this  organization  provide  that 
in  business  of  the  church,  every  member  has  a  vote.  And 
no  standing  or  preferment  shall  protect  any  one  from  re- 
proof, in  a  gospel  way,  or  from  dealing  and  exclusion  for 
offenses.  The  Annual  Conferences  are  composed  of  preach- 
ers and  delegates  from  the  societies,  both  chosen  by  voice 
of  the  church. 

This  organization  proved  a  truly  evangelical  and  useful 
branch.  It  had  many  churches  and  circuits  and  several 
Conferences  formed  in  several  New  England  States  and 
New  York,  and  in  one  instance  as  far  west  as  Northern 
Ohio.  They  had  a  degree  of  prosperity  for  many  years. 
A  number  of  their  ministers  and  societies  ultimately  united 
with  the  Methodist  Protestants. 

In  1858,  the  late  L.  D.  Johnson  thus  wrote  to  the  West- 
ern Methodist  Protestant:  "Many  of  the  churches  of  the 
Reformed  Methodists  upon  Cape  Cod  have,  in  their  mem- 
bership, fathers  and  brethren  of  unbending  religious  integ- 
rity, strong  faith  and  great  spirituality.  I  spent  my  youth 
among  them.  I  grew  up  with  them.  And  now  separated, 
with  religious  delight,  I  love  to  cherish  their  memory." 


CHAPTER  LIV. 


THE  METHODIST  SOCIETY. 

IN  OCTOBER,  1820,  a  secession  took  place  in  New 
York  City,  from  'hs  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  under 
the  lead  of  Rev.  W.  M.  Stilhvell,  and  under  the  following 
circumstances:  Said  Stilhvell  was  a  very  able  and  popular 
preacher,  and  an  influential  member  and  Secretary  of  the 
New  York  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
That  Conference  was  induced  to  petition  the  Legislature  of 
the  State  to  legalize  the  Methodist  Episcopal  deed  of  settle- 
ment for  church  property.  Stilhvell  opposed  the  measure, 
in  and  out  of  Conference,  as  an  encroachment  on  the  rights 
of  laymen.  This  made  him  enemies.  He  was  persecuted 
by  his  brethren,  and  constrained  finally  to  withdraw  from 
the  church.  Secessions  followed  him.  He  had  three  or 
four  churches  organized  in  New  York  City,  and  a  number 
of  ministers  associated  with  him.  This  statement  we  take 
from  the  lips  of  the  venerable  T.  K.  Witsil,  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church,  who  was  cotemporary  with  Mr. 
Stilhvell.  in  his  day.  and  somewhat  a  co-laborer.  AVe  find 
in  the  Mutual  Rig/its  and  Christian  Intelligencer,  of  June 
20th,  1829,  a  letter  from  Mr.  Stilhvell,  dated  New  York, 
June  11th,  from  which  we  extract  the  following  statement: 
"The  Methodist  Society,  formed  in  the  city  of  New 
York  in  1820,  is  yet  in  existence.  As  pastor  of  that  society, 
I  have  received  in  this  city  alone,  since  that  period,  1,400 
persons,  and  upwards,  on  probation  and  as  members.  And 

311 


312 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


notwithstanding  the  separation  of  two  churches  from  us, 
we  still  have  more  than  500  members  here;  and  within  six 
months  past,  such  has  been  the  gracious  work  of  God,  that 
upwards  of  one  hundred  have  professed  to  experience  the 
love  of  God  in  their  hearts.  We  are  in  the  greatest  peace 
and  love.  On  Long  Island,  in  New  Jersey,  and  in  Con- 
necticut there  are  flourishing  societies." 

In  later  years,  the  writer  became  conversant  with  per- 
sons and  places  on  Long  Island,  once  connected  with 
organizations  of  Mr.  Still  well.  His  high  standing  and  use- 
fulness as  a  minister  was  fully  assured.  But  his  people  had 
latterly  united  with  the  Methodist  Protestants.  This  was 
die  case  at  Eastport,  Speonk  and  Moriches. 

The  writer  has  before  him  a  copy  of  a  neat  little  book, 
entitled  the  "Declaration,  Constitution,  Bill  of  Rights  and 
Form  of  Government  of  the  Methodist  Societies,"  adopted 
by  a  Convention  of  Delegates  held  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
in  June,  1826.  The  names  of  over  fifty  ministers  are  ap- 
pended, of  whom  are  a  number  who  afterwards  became 
Methodist  Protestants,  as,  Orren  Miller,  James  and  Zenas 
Covel,  Samuel  Budd,  E.  W.  Griswold,  Aaron  G.  Brewer. 
The  names  of  William  Burke  and  Oliver  Langdon,  of  Ohio, 
also  appear.  These  had  organizations  in  and  about  Cin- 
cinnati, which  continued  for  many  years.  But  the  writer  is 
not  aware  that  any  of  the  societies  of  this  Association  are 
yet  in  existence.  It  is  believed  that  they  were  mostly 
merged  in  the  Methodist  Protestant  and  Wesleyan  organiza- 
tions. 


CHAPTER  LV. 


WESLEYAN  METHODIST  CONNECTION. 

DURING  the  anti-slavery  excitement  of  1834-1840,  the 
leading  authorities  and  many  Conferences  of  the 
"Methodist  Episcopal  Church  partook  largely  of  the  pre- 
vailing anti  abolition  prejudice.  With  some  of  the  au- 
thorities it  became  a  very  passion.  In  some  Eastern  Con- 
ferences, composed  largely  of  anti-slavery  men,  in  various 
instances,  the  presiding  bishops,  such  as  Emory,  Hedding 
and  Waugh,  refused  to  put  to  vote  any  resolution  disap- 
proving of  African  slavery.  At  the  same  time,  in  other 
Conferences,  as  well  in  the  North  as  in  the  South,  they  would 
freely  put  to  vote  any  resolution  denouncing  abolitionism. 
Then  the  presiding  elders,  as  Presidents  of  the  Quarterly 
Conferences,  followed  the  examples  of  their  bishops,  and 
refused  to  put  to  vote  any  anti-slavery  resolutions.  The 
General  Conference  of  1836  denounced  modern  abolition- 
ism, and  censured  two  of  its  members  for  attending  an 
anti-slavery  meeting.  Orange  Scott,  a  delegate  from  the 
New  England  Conference,  who  spoke  ably  and  dispassion- 
ately in  the  defensive,  was  in  that  body  treated  with  great 
injustice  and  insult.  The  whole  board  of  bishops  united  in 
a  pastoral  address  condemning  the  abolitionists.  Annual  Con- 
ferences construed  this  as  law,  and  ministers  were  tried  and 
suspended  for  adherence  to  their  conscientious  position,  the 
charge  being  contumacy  and  insubordination.  And  none  of 
the  bishops  objected  to  taking  the  vote  on  their  suspension. 

3T3 


314 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Five  ministers  were  tried  and  suspended  upon  these 
charges,  in  the  New  York  Conference,  in  1838,  and  one  of 
them  finally  expelled.  It  is  a  matter  of  record  that  while 
anti-slavery  men  were  treated  as  criminals,  tried  and  de 
posed,  not  a  pro-slavery  man  was  called  to  account,  or  re- 
proved or  censured,  by  any  act  of  the  church  or  its  ad- 
ministrators. It  is  not  surprising  that  the  friends  of  the 
slave  should  reach  the  conclusion  that  the  church  was  hope- 
lessly committed  to  slavery,  and  that  it  was  right  and  a 
duty  to  withdraw  from  it. 

During  the  year  1842,  several  secessions  took  place, 
upon  the  above  grounds,  in  various  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, but  chiefly  in  New  England  and  New  York.  In  No- 
vember of  that  year,  Orange  Scott  (with  two  other  minis- 
ters) withdrew,  and  soon  after  published  the  reasons  in  a 
new  weekly  paper,  called  the  True  Wcslcyan,  which  he 
published  on  his  own  responsibility,  commencing  without  a 
single  subscriber.  A  Convention  was  called  for  permanent 
organization,  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  May  31st,  1843.  J*  was  Pre" 
sided  over  by  Mr.  Scott.  This  Convention  adopted  a 
Constitution  and  Book  of  Discipline  for  the  Connection, 
taking  very  emphatic  ground  against  slavery  and  intemper- 
ance, and  recognizing  the  principle  of  lay  representation  in 
the  Annual  and  General  Conferences.  About  6,000  mem- 
bers were  reported  at  this  Convention,  mostly  comprising 
seceders  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  includ- 
ing also  a  very  considerable  number  from  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  and  others  again  from  the  Reformed 
Methodists.  Almost  an  entire  Conference  of  Methodist 
Protestants,  in  Northern  New  York,  went  over  to  this  or- 
ganization. Orange  Scott,  who  was  the  principal  founder 
of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection,  a  noble  Christian 
minister,  and  perhaps  a  martyr  to  this  work,  died  in  peace 
at  Newark,  N.  J.,  July  31st,  1847.  For  many  years  the 
body  was  largely  prospered,  had  numerous  accessions 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


315 


through  religious  revivals,  as  well  as  through  transfers  from 
other  churches,  until  a  membership  of  over  20,000  was 
claimed.  But  after  the  Methodist  Protestants  of  the  North 
and  West  disengaged  themselves  from  connection  with 
slavery,  the  leading  brethren  of  the  Wesleyan  order  sought 
a  union  with  tl  at  body.  As  otherwheres  related,  a  Con- 
vention was  held  in  1865,  and  another  in  1866,  in  view  of 
the  consummation  of  such  union.  But  meanwhile,  as  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  not  by  its  own  act,  or  through 
its  own  seeking,  but  by  act  of  God,  and  through  the  mili- 
tary arm,  had  also  become  severed  from  slavery,  the  lead- 
ing ones  of  the  Wesleyans,  who  had  stood  committed  to  a 
union  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  changed  their 
course,  and  went  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The 
main  portion,  however,  under  the  lead  of  Adam  Crooks, 
then  editor  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  decided  to  adhere  to  their 
distinctive  organization,  and  to  ignore  and  oppose  the 
union  with  the  Methodist  Protestants. 

The  American  Wesleyan,  weekly,  the  official  organ  of 
this  branch,  is  still  published  at  Syracuse,  New  York.  But 
we  are  not  advised  of  their  statistics. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


REV.  NICHOLAS  SNETHEN. 


NICHOLAS  SNETHEN  was  a  native  of  Long  Island,. 
New  York;  born  November  15th,  1769.  He  expe- 
rienced conversion  when  about  twenty-one,  and  entered 
the  Methodist  itinerancy  in  1794,  when  he  was  twenty-five 
years  of  age.  For  the  first  four  or  five  years  he  traveled  in 
the  New  England  States,  rendering  laborious  and  extensive 
pioneering  service.  An  early  friend,  who  survived  Mr. 
Snethen,  said  of  this  period  of  his  early  service  :  "When 
he  left  home,  he  was  spare,  and  his  eyes  were  sunken,  with 
a  hectic  glow  on  his  cheeks.  This  was  the  day  of  saddle- 
bags ministry.  After  four  years  of  toil  and  exposure,  he 
came  back  with  a  well-developed,  fleshy  person,  an  elastic 
step,  and  in  the  bloom  of  health,  displaying  a  very  classical 
head,  and  a  face  of  noble  features,  breathing  benignity  and 
love." 

Subsequently,  he  was  appointed  to  labor  for  many  years 
in  stations  further  south.  For  four  or  more  years,  at  differ- 
ent times,  he  was  stationed  in  Baltimore,  and  two  years  in 
New  York  City.  For  several  years,  he  was  appointed  to 
travel  with  Bishop  Asbury.  When  the  bishop  was  in  feeble 
health,  he  would  send  Mr.  Snethen  to  preside  in  the  An- 

317 


318 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


nual  Conferences,  in  his  stead.  The  writer  has,  in  time 
past,  conversed  with  a  number  of  aged  persons  who  re- 
membered the  circumstances  of  his  officiating  and  presiding 
at  the  Western  Conference,  at  Mount  Gerrizim,  Ky.,*  in 
1803  or  1804,  that  being  then  the  only  Methodist  Confer- 
ence in  the  West.  From  the  musical  sweetness  of  his 
voice,  as  well  as  his  eloquence,  Bishop  Asbury  used  to  call 
him  his  silver  trumpet.  He  was  a  member  of  several  early 
General  Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ; 
was  secretary  of  the  one  held  in  x8oo.  He  there  took  the 
republican  side  of  the  presiding  elder  question,  favoring  the 
limitation  of  the  episcopal  prerogative. 

In  1812,  again,  Mr.  Snethen  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  debates  upon  the  proposition  (originated  by  himself)  to 
subject  the  nomination  of  presiding  elders  to  the  confirma- 
tion of  the  Annual  Conferences.  This  was  lost,  by  six 
votes,  49  to  43.  He  thenceforth  declared  that  he  would 
never  again  appear  upon  the  floor  of  any  General  Confer- 
ence, to  legislate  for  the  church,  unless  sent  by  the  vote  of 
the  governed,  both  laity  and  preachers.  He  kept  his  word, 
and  he  afterwards  lived  to  verify  the  half  prophetic  intima- 
tion. About  1809,  when  stationed  at  Georgetown,  he  was 
elected  Chaplain  of  the  United  States  House  of  Represen- 
tatives. Serving  in  this  relation,  he  commanded  large 
audiences,  and  became  intimate  with  Clay,  Randolph,  and 
other  distinguished  statesmen. 

We  do  not  find  at  what  time  Mr.  Snethen  retired  from 
the  regular  itinerancy  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
But  he  did  for  a  number  of  years  occupy  the  relation  of  a 
local  minister  in  that  church,  before  the  organization  of  the 
Methodist  Protestants,  and  resided  in  Frederick  County, 

*At  least  two  Conferences  were  held  at  that  place.  It  was  near 
Ruddle's  Mills,  Bourbon  County,  Ky.  But  the  spot  is  no  longer  a 
place  of  worship. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


319 


Md.  During  this  period,  he  was  once  induced  to  accept 
the  nomination  for  a  seat  in  Congress.  The  opposing  can- 
didate, a  Mr.  Gaither,  was  a  gentleman  of  great  influence 
and  popularity  in  the  community,  while  Mr.  Snethen  stood 
unrivaled  as  a  pulpit  orator.  Once  it  was  arranged  for  the 
two  candidates  to  meet  for  a  public  discussion.  On  the 
occasion,  a  vast  assemblage  of  people  were  brought  to- 
gether. Mr.  Snethen  delivered  an  address  of  great  clear- 
ness and  power,  in  which  it  was  supposed  that  he  fully  car- 
ried away  his  audience. 

When  Mr.  Gaither  rose  to  respond,  he  undertook  no  re- 
ply, but  very  pleasantly  complimented  the  former  speaker  for 
his  very  able  deliverance.  He  uttered  not  a  word  of  dispar- 
agement, or  even  criticism,  but  proceeded,  however,  to 
state  some  reasons  why  he  considered  that  the  people  should 
elect  himself  to  go  to  Congress,  without  taking  his  eloquent 
friend  from  a  still  higher  calling,  for  which  he  is  so  emi- 
nently qualified.  "For,"  said  he,  "Mr.  Snethen  is  too  elo- 
quent a  man  in  the  house  of  God,  to  be  spared  from  that 
sacred  work  to  go  to  Congress  !"  This  expression,  so  wit- 
tily, and  yet  so  kindly  uttered,  at  once  caused  an  outburst 
of  applause,  which  rang  through  the  entire  audience.  Mr. 
Snethen  heartily  joined  in  the  merriment,  and  being  at  that 
time  of  portly  proportions,  it  is  said  that  he  fairly  shook  his 
sides  with  laughter.  The  result  was,  the  people  elected  Mr. 
Gaither  to  go  to  Congress,  and  Mr.  Snethen  to  continue  his 
eloquent  services,  in  the  house  of  God. 

In  the  great  controversy  respecting  church  government 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Mr.  Snethen  bore  a 
prominent  part  as  a  writer.  He  wielded  a  mighty  pen  in 
the  cause  of  representation.  Many  of  his  able  papers  on 
that  subject,  first  published  in  the  Wcsleyan  Repository  and 
Mutual  Rights,  were,  some  years  ago,  by  himself  collected 
and  republished  in  a  volume  known  as  "Snethen  on  Rep- 
resentation." 


320 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


When  persecution  arose,  "about  this  way," — when  those 
in  power  commenced  the  unhallowed  work  of  cutting  off 
certain  ones  for  advocating  reform  in  church  government, 
a  process  which  Prof.  Bascom  designated  as  a  "labored 
deed  of  hard  earned  infamy,"  Mr.  Snethen  did  not  shrink, 
or  yield  the  contest,  or  ingloriously  forsake  his  proscribed 
brethren,  as  did  some  others.  In  his  "Address  to  the 
Friends  of  Reform,"  published  in  the  Mutual  Rights,  at 
about  this  period,  he  uttered  these  noble  words : 

"It  will — I  know  it  will — it  uiustbe  asked,  now  that  the 
time  is  come  to  try  men's  souls,  where  is  Philopisticus  ? 
Where  is  Adynasius?  Where  is  Senex?  Where  is  the  man 
who  was  among  the  foremost  to  challenge  us  to  the  cause  of 
representation  ;  where  is  Snethen  ?  I  trust  that  while  he 
is  among  the  living,  but  one  answer  will  be  given  to  this 
question — he  is  at  his  post,  he  is  in  the  front  of  the  contest, 
he  is  shouting,  on,  brethren,  on!  and  if  he  fall,  it  will  be 
with  a  wound  in  his  breast,  and  with  his  head  direct  to- 
wards the  opponent.  .  .  What  may  not  the  traitor  of 
this  cause  expect?  Where  can  he  find  shelter  from  the 
frowns  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  the  self-torture  of  his  own 
reflections  ?  .  .  Of  the  labor  of  seven  years  I  make  no 
account.  I  was  not  a  lamb  among  wolves.  My  courage, 
my  resolution,  was  not  put  to  the  test.  I  have  never  been 
questioned,  never  called  to  account,  not  even  threatened. 
The  fiery  trial  has  come  upon  one  (Rev.  Dennis  B.  Dorsey, 
then  in  feeble  health),  who  is  the  shadow  of  a  man,  a  walk- 
ing skeleton,  and  I  yet  go  free!  Mysterious  providence! 
.  .  I  can  not  now  desert  the  cause,  and  be  innocent  before 
God  or  man.    I  can  not  now  be  silent  and  be  harmless." 

Mr.  Snethen  withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  good  standing  as  a  local  minister,  but  we  are 
not  advised  of  the  precise  time  when  it  took  place.  But  we 
find  his  name  identified  with  the  first  organization  of  the 
Maryland  Conference  of  the  Associated  Methodist  Churches 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


321 


(afterwards  Methodist  Protestant  Church),  April  2d,  1S29. 
He  was  unanimously  elected  President  of  that  Conference, 
with  the  exception  of  one  vote.  He  also  attended  the  first 
session  of  the  Virginia  Annual  Conference,  May  1st,  1829. 
and  the  first  session  of  the  Pennsylvania  Annual  Confer- 
ence, October  10th,  1S29.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
General  Conventions  of  Reformers,  in  1827  and  1828,  in 
both  of  which  he  was  called  to  preside. 

In  the  year  1830,  he  removed  to  the  West,  and  identi- 
fied himself  with  the  Ohio  Conference,  with  which  he  re- 
mained connected  for  the  rest  of  his  natural  life.  For  a 
number  of  years,  he  served  severally  the  stations  of  Zanes- 
ville,  Louisville  and  Cincinnati,  while  his  strength  admitted 
of  his  rendering  regular  service.  And  for  several  years,  at 
intervals,  while  holding  either  a  supernumerary  or  superan- 
nuated relation,  he  did  much  service  in  the  last  named  city 
station,  with  zeal  and  usefulness. 

In  1834,  he  was  appointed  co-editor  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant,  with  Mr.  Shinn,  and  served  one  year  in  this 
capacity. 

During  the  last  two  years  of  his  life,  at  intervals, 
Brother  Snethen  became  very  feeble,  and  seemed  to  be 
sinking  to  dissolution.  In  one  of  his  letters  to  the  writer, 
when  age  and  feebleness  had  almost  wasted  him  away,  he 
observed:  "It  seems  a  pretty  trying  scene  to  bid  fare- 
well to  the  pulpit,  and  finally  retire  from  the  field  of  so 
many  joys  and  sufferings/'  But  again  he  would  rally,  and 
recover  strength  for  a  season,  and  would  be  found  preach- 
ing with  the  energy,  and  almost  the  vigor,  of  a  youth,  the 
precious  doctrines  of  the  cross,  which  it  was  ever  his  de- 
light to  proclaim. 

The  writer  would  state  it  as  remarkable  that,  within  the 
month  of  September,  1844,  which  was  but  a  few  months 
before  his  decease,  Mr.  Snethen  was  enabled  to  attend  the 
sessions  of  three  Annual  Conferences,  requiring  the  travel 


322 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  great  distances,  chiefly  by  water,  to  reach  them,  there 
being  then  no  railroad  travel  in  the  parts.  First,  he  at- 
tended the  session  of  the  Illinois  Conference,  at  Rushville, 
111.  We  have  understood  that  he  was  enabled  to  preach 
five  times  during  his  visit  there.  Then,  though  there  was 
an  interval  of  but  one  week,  and  a  distance  of  at  least  700 
miles  by  water,  and  the  weather  sultry  and  oppressive,  yet 
our  venerable  brother  was  found  present  on  the  first  day  of 
the  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  at  Cincinnati,  Septem- 
ber nth.  This  proved  to  be  his  last  attendance.  Not 
soon  will  the  writer  or  others  forget  the  thrilling  eloquence 
and  pathos,  as  well  as  overflowing  love,  with  which  he  ad- 
dressed the  Conference,  at  its  request,  for  the  space  of  two 
hours.  No  sooner  had  this  Conference  adjourned,  than  he 
essayed  himself  to  the  task  of  a  still  greater  journey,  to  at- 
tend the  first  session  of  the  North  Illinois  Conference,  at 
Princeton,  111.,  September  25th.  The  distance,  as  traveled, 
could  have  been  little  less  than  one  thousand  miles.  But 
the  brethren  had  urged  him  to  come,  and  he  could  not  be 
dissuaded,  though  feeble,  from  making  an  effort  to  reach 
there.  Suffice  it  to  say,  he  was  present  at  the  Conference, 
and  we  doubt  not  his  voice,  in  its  counsels,  and  his  able 
•ministrations,  are  still  remembered  by  many.  This  new 
Conference  then  included  Iowa,  and  the  entire  North-west. 
It  made  arrangements,  in  connection  with  the  Illinois  Con- 
ference, to  establish  an  institution  of  learning  at  Iowa  City. 
Mr.  Snethen  was  chosen  to  be  its  principal.  Consenting  to 
this  arrangement,  he  visited  Iowa  City,  and  while  there,  by 
request,  he  officiated  as  Chaplain  at  the  opening  of  the  ses- 
sion of  the  Territorial  Legislature.  He  left  there,  to  spend 
the  winter  in  Cincinnati,  promising  to  return  so  soon  as  a 
class  of  six  young  men  should  be  reported  to  him  as  stu- 
dents in  theology.  Accordingly,  about  the  middle  of 
March,  1845,  being  informed  that  the  requisite  number  was 
in  waiting,  he  promptly  set  out  upon  what  proved  his  last 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


323 


journey,  fully  purposing  to  assume,  if  able,  the  duties  of 
the  seminary.  It  is  understood  that,  during  the  winter,  he 
had  been  much  engaged  in  preparing  theological  lectures 
for  the  class.  On  his  way  to  Iowa  City,  he  purposed  visit- 
ing his  children,  at  Princeton,  Ind.  He  reached  there  in 
safety,  but  there  he  ended  his  earthly  career.  He  was  soon 
taken  ill,  and  suffered  much  pain,  but  exhibiting  Christian 
patience  and  resignation.  He  departed,  in  the  triumphs 
of  the  Christian  faith,  May  30th,  1845,  declaring  that  while 
the  world  disappeared  from  his  vision,  heaven  opened  to  his 
view,  and  that  he  could  shout  upon  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain. It  is  said  that  he  expired  with  the  name  of  his  be- 
loved Savior  upon  his  lips. 

Very  precious  is  the  memory  of  Nicholas  Snethen.  At 
the  ensuing  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  where  his 
presence  was  so  much  missed,  as  a  memorial  service,  the 
writer,  then  its  President,  by  request  of  the  Conference, 
delivered  a  discourse,  from  Psalm  xii.  1.  "Help,  Lord, 
for  the  godly  man  ceaseth,  for  the  faithful  fail  from  among 
the  children  of  men." 

Mr.  Snethen,  in  his  day,  was  a  man  of  extraordinary 
pulpit  power.  Especially  on  camp-meeting  occasions,  it  was 
said  he  would  "move  vast  congregations,  as  forest  trees  are 
moved  by  mighty  winds."  The  writer  witnessed  somewhat 
of  this,  though  only  in  his  later  ministrations.  An  instance 
is  given  in  an  accompanying  reminiscence.  He  was  con- 
sidered the  father  of  camp-meetings  among  the  Methodists. 
In  1803,  he  held  the  first  camp-meeting  ever  held  in  Mary- 
land. Some  time  ago,  the  oldest  surviving  member  of  the 
New  York  Conference,  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  re- 
lated to  the  writer  circumstances  of  the  first  camp  meeting 
held  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  September,  1804.  It 
was  attended  by  Nicholas  Snethen.  Times  without  number, 
our  venerable  informant  had  heard  persons  who  remem- 
bered the  occasion  speak  of  the  wonderful  displays  of  the 


324 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


power  of  God  under  a  sermon  by  Mr.  Snethen,  from  the 
text:  "The  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but 
mighty  through  God."   2  Corinthians  x.  4. 

Mr.  Snethen  had  ever  been  a  devoted  student,  and  so 
he  became  a  profound  scholar.  He  was  familiar  with  the 
Greek,  Latin  and  French  languages,  and  with  the  general 
branches  of  science.  He  was  considered  almost  a  cyclo- 
pedia of  general  information,  never  at  a  loss  in  any  subject 
in  literature.  And  it  is  noteworthy  that  his  love  of  learning 
continued  unabated  in  his  advanced  life.  When  arrange- 
ment was  made  for  him  to  take  charge  of  a  class  of  young 
men,  he  said : 

"In  regard  to  myself,  permit  me  to  say,  that  the  enthu- 
siasm for  learning  which  I  felt  when  I  first  became  per- 
suaded in  my  own  mind  that  I  was  called  to  preach,  re- 
mains unabated.  The  fire,  though  often  checked,  and 
sometimes  well-nigh  smothered,  has  never  failed  to  burn 
afresh  when  opportunity  offered.  I  take  the  place  assigned 
me  temporarily,  to  give  this  last  example  to  our  young  men 
and  our  youth.  Age,  and  sickness,  and  changes,  and 
cares,  and  sorrows,  have  left  my  love  of  learning  untouched. 
To  myself,  from  first  to  last,  I  have  given  the  demonstration 
of  sincerity  in  this  affection.  I  have  the  witness  of  it  in 
myself.  Knowledge  is  pleasant  to  my  soul.  I  review  with 
complacency  the  years  devoted  to  self-instruction,  in  the 
absence  of  all  other  means,  and  rejoice  that  literature  and 
science  has  at  last  found  a  place  among  us,  where  to  build 
a  tabernacle." 

Worthington  G.  Snethen,  a  gifted  son  of  the  subject  of 
this-  sketch,  expended  great  care  and  labor  in  preparing  for 
publication  the  "Life  and  Works  of  Nicholas  Snethen," 
intended  to  be  comprised  in  not  less  than  ten  volumes. 
But  not  meeting  with  sufficient  encouragement,  it  seems,  he 
never  attempted  to  issue  the  work.  This  is  much  to  be 
regretted. 


REV.  ASA  SHINN. 


\SA  SHINN  was  an  example  of  that  extensive  class 
of  Methodist  preachers  who  were  called  self-made 
men.  He  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  May  3d, 
1 781.  We  find  the  following  brief  sketch  of  his  early  his- 
tory from  his  own  pen,  in  one  of  the  early  numbers  of  the 
Methodist  Correspondent  (July  27th,  1833): 

"By  nature,  I  belong  to  the  lower  ranks  of  life.  I  was 
born  of  poor,  honest  parents,  who  were  connected  with  the 
Society  of  Friends.  Being  removed  from  the  place  of  my 
nativity,  at  a  very  early  age,  I  received  my  education  chiefly 
among  the  western  hills  of  Virginia.  It  was  an  education 
of  the  humbler  kind,  a  particular  account  of  which  would 
afford  some  amusement.  Illiterate  as  I  was,  however,  I 
was  able,  in  some  degree,  to  understand  the  plain  preach- 
ing of  Valentine  Cook,  Robert  Manly,  and  others,  whose 
honest  and  fervent  labors  in  the  ministry  aroused  me  from 
my  slumbers,  in  the  seventeenth  year  of  my  age.  By  the 
lime  I  was  eighteen,  I  became  a  Methodist.  The  manner 
in  which  I  was  introduced  into  the  ministry  was  as  follows: 
Without  my  making  any  application  whatever,  a  presiding 
elder  applied  to  me  to  know  if  I  would  receive  license  to 
exhort ;  and  upon  having  intimation  of  my  acquiescence, 
he  took  the  matter  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  Conference 
himself,  obtained  license,  and  brought  it  to  me.  Not  long 
after  this,  I  was  licensed  to  preach;  and  before  I  was 


325 


326 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


twenty  years  of  age,  I  was  employed  by  the  same  presiding 
elder  to  be  a  traveling  preacher.  I  received  my  first  ap- 
pointment from  the  bishops  in  1801,  and  continued  in  the 
itinerancy  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  more 
than  twenty-seven  years." 

The  above  paragraph  is  all  that  can  be  found  as  auto- 
biography of  this  eminent  man  of  God. 

It  is  said  that  he  never  saw  an  English  Grammar  until 
after  he  entered  the  traveling  ministry.  But  having  met 
with  one,  in  the  hands  of  his  colleague,  and  made  some 
inquiries  about  it,  he  soon  procured  a  copy,  and  applied 
himself  in  earnest  to  the  study  thereof.  Intent  on  improve- 
ment, and  every  attainable  qualification  for  usefulness  in 
his  calling,  within  a  few  years  he  became  such  a  master  of 
language  and  style,  as  to  be  capable  of  gracing  any  pulpit 
in  the  connection. 

It  was  related  by  the  venerable  John  Collins,  that  at  one 
of  his  appointments,  on  the  first  round  on  his  circuit,  in 
1801,  Mr.  Shinn,  for  the  first  time,  met  with  a  family 
clock!  He  had  commenced  services,  in  a  private  house; 
and  after  being  for  some  time  disconcerted  by  the  ticking 
noise,  when  the  time-piece  struck  the  hour,  he  was  nearly 
brought  to  a  stand,  with  astonishment.  After  the  congre- 
gation had  retired,  he  earnestly  besought  his  host  to  tell  him 
the  nature  and  uses  of  the  article.  This  he  did,  and  at  his 
request,  he  opened  it,  and  exhibited  its  wheels,  and  weights, 
and  pendulum,  and  explained  to  the  interested  inquirer  the 
mechanical  principles  involved. 

In  the  Life  of  the  late  James  Quinn,  we  find  a  statement 
of  his  own  labors  in  1799,  in  West  Virginia,  in  which  oc- 
curs this  passage : 

"Some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  further  up  (the  West  Fork 
of  Monongahela  River),  a  door  was  opened,  and  a  good 
society  formed,  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Shinn,  father  of 
Rev.  Asa  Shinn.    This  man  was  of  Quaker  origin,  but  he 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


327 


believed  and  was  baptized,  and  his  household.  Forty  years 
have  passed  since  I  preached  and  met  class  in  this  good 
man's  house.  At  that  time  (1799),  Asa  was  seeking  salva- 
tion, with  a  broken  spirit.  We  prayed  together  in  the 
woods,  and  I  have  loved  him  ever  since.  Would  that  he 
were  with  us  yet!  This  young  man  was  admitted  on  trial, 
in  1 801,  although  he  had  never  seen  a  meeting-house  or  a 
pulpit  before  he  left  his  father's  house  to  become  a  travel- 
ing preacher.  He  had  only  a  plain  English  education. 
Yet  in  1809,  we  find  him,  by  appointment  of  the  venerable 
Asbury,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  as  colleague  of  another 
backwoods  youth,  Robert  R.  Roberts,  afterwards  bishop." 

When  Mr.  Shinn  entered  the  ministry,  there  was  no 
Methodist  College,  or  magazine,  or  newspaper,  or  book 
concern  in  the  land.  Yet,  almost  without  books,  save  the 
Bible,  he  so  utilized  his  opportunities  as  a  student,  as  to 
become  an  able  theologian,  without  the  aid  of  classics,  or 
of  divinity  professors.  Having  accepted  the  high  calling 
of  a  gospel  minister,  he  gave  himself  wholly  to  the  work, 
as  his  life  work.  In  season,  out  of  season,  in  town  or  in 
country,  in  the  woods  or  on  horseback,  his  tireless  mind 
was  at  its  work,  or  preparing  for  some  valiant  service  in  the 
cause  of  truth,  or  for  some  attack  upon  the  citadel  of  error. 
He  became  a  logician,  a  master  in  argument,  before  whom 
no  foe  of  the  truth  could  stand.  Under  his  masterly  deliv- 
erance, infidelity  quailed  before  him,  and  popular  errors 
stood  abashed.  Under  his  mild  but  searching  rebuke, 
haughty  scoffers  at  camp  meetings  have  been  awed  into 
respectful  behavior.    To  this  the  writer  can  bear  witness. 

But  we  would  not  claim  for  Mr.  Shinn  that  he  was  sim- 
ply, in  the  ordinary  sense,  a  self  made  man — a  self-made 
theologian  and  declaimer;  for  we  must  add  that  he  was  a 
man  of  God,  a  man  of  faith  and  prayer.  He  put  on  the 
divine  panoply.  With  all  his  personal  preparation,  he 
sought  the  presence  and  aid  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Thus 


328 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


doubly  armed  and  equipped,  he  was  prepared  for  effective 
service  for  the  Master.  Though  extremely  affable  in  his 
bearing  towards  all,  he  could  not  have  his  hour  of  pulpit 
preparation  intruded  upon.  He  would  not  pursue  conver- 
sation till  the  bell  summoned  him  to  church,  then  chat  upon 
common-place  topics  all  the  way  to  the  house  of  God;  and 
then  trip  along  to  the  desk,  with  the  air  of  a  mountebank. 
But  his  rule  was,  to  go  from  his  knees  to  the  pulpit. 

The  writer  has  heard  him  state  that,  as  a  rule,  he  desired 
first  to  have  his  soul  baptized  into  his  subject,  before  at- 
tempting to  preach.  He  would  enter  the  place  of  worship, 
and  proceed  to  his  assigned  position,  with  a  pleasing, 
dignified  solemnity  of  demeanor,  which  ever  seemed  to  say: 
This  is  the  house  of  God ;  fear  before  him,  all  ye  his  saints. 

Mr.  Shinn  continued  in  regular  service  in  the  Baltimore 
Conference,  filling  usually  its  most  important  positions, 
until  the  organization  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  in  1825. 
He  was  thenceforth  connected  with  the  latter  Conference, 
until  his  withdrawal  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
in  1829. 

Mr.  Shinn  took  part  largely  in  the  Reform  controversy  in 
1824-1828 — was  a  leading  writer  in  behalf  of  lay  represen- 
tation. Many  able  articles  from  his  pen  appeared  in  the 
several  volumes  of  the  Mutual  Rights.  After  the  expul- 
sions took  place  in  Maryland,  he  nobly  stood  up.  in  the 
General  Conference  of  1828,  in  defense  of  the  sufferers,  as 
is  related  in  the  p  oper  place  in  this  History. 

Since  our  Chapter  IX  has  been  reduced  to  plate,  the 
writer  had  an  interview  with  Dr.  William  Henderson,  a 
veteran  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  of 
Pittsburgh.  He  has  a  clear  remembrance  of  the  scene  in 
the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
of  1828,  in  the  same  city.  Let  it  be  recollected,  that  was 
the  General  Conference,  the  majority  of  which,  indignant 
that  the  laity  should  at  all  ask  for  reform,  assumed  that 


_METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


329 


"the  divinely  instituted  ministry — the  divinely  authorized 
expounders,"  can  not  have  their  ministrations  "authorita- 
tively controlled  by  others."  There  was  a  minority  of 
Reformers  in  that  General  Conference,  but  many  of  them 
were  evidently  awed  by  the  episcopacy.  One  there  was, 
however,  who  could  not  be  intimidated  from  a  noble  dis- 
charge of  duty.  Asa  Shinn,  as  has  been  mentioned,  stood 
up  manfully  in  support  of  the  Reformers'  claims.  Especially 
•did  he  defend  the  cause  of  the  ones  expelled  in  Maryland, 
and  plead  for  their  restoration,  in  one  or  more  speeches  of 
overwhelming  eloquence  and  power.  When  he  had  finish- 
ed, had  the  vote  been  then  taken,  a  sense  of  right  would 
■doubtless  have  carried  a  majority  in  favor  of  restoring  the 
expelled.  This  was  the  first  General  Conference  which 
was  assembled  after  Bishop  Soule's  induction  into  the  epis- 
copacy. And  now,  to  use  the  heretofore  quoted  expression 
of  Messrs.  Emory  and  Waugh,  in  reference  to  that  person, 
it  was  for  him  to  show  with  what  "tenacious  grasp"  "power 
is  held  when  once  acquired."  Dr.  Henderson  distinctly 
remembers  that  on  the  occasion  now  spoken  of,  Bishop 
Soule  occupied  the  chair,  and  that  the  following  took  place  : 
Mr.  Shinn  solicited  to  have  the  vote  taken.  The  chair 
would  not  consent  that  the  vote  be  then  taken,  but  would 
have  it  deferred.  Mr.  Shinn  asked  by  what  authority  does 
the  chair  thus  govern  the  case.  The  bishop  answered,  in 
about  these  words:  "I  let  you  know  that  we  govern  by 
divine  authority."  He  also  made  a  remark  to  the  effect 
that  should  the  vote  be  now  taken,  you  would  accomplish 
all  you  desire.  Mr.  Shinn  simply  answered,  "Then  I  have 
nothing  more  to  say,"  and  resumed  his  seat. 

In  the  days  of  final  trial,  Mr.  Shinn  did  not, as  some  others, 
abandon  principle  to  retain  position,  but  went  out  magnani- 
mously with  his  expelled  brethren,  to  organize  a  new 
•church,  based  on  liberal  principles.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Convention  of  1830,  which  formed  the  Constitution 


330 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE  » 


and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  of 
the  first  three  General  Conferences,  in  two  of  which  he 
was  called  to  preside.  When,  in  1829,  our  first  Conference 
(Ohio)  was  formed  in  the  West,  he  was  elected  its  first  Presi- 
dent; and  he  was  afterwards  the  first  President  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh Conference.  In  1834,  he  was  elected  editor  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant,  and  served  two  years,  the  first  year 
jointly  with  Mr.  Snethen. 

Mr.  Shinn,  in  his  time,  produced  two  theological  works, 
one  on  "The  Plan  of  Salvation,"  the  other  on  "The  Be- 
nevolence and  Rectitude  of  the  Supreme  Being."  These 
have  been  admitted  on  all  hands  to  be  the  product  of  a 
giant  intellect  ;  evincing  great  logical  power,  piety  of  heart, 
and  devoted  loyalty  to  Christ.  The  former  work  having 
been  issued  in  the  life-time  of  Adam  Clarke,  that  distinguish- 
ed man  is  said  to  have  expressed  the  opinion,  after  reading 
it,  that  Mr.  Shinn  was  the  greatest  reasoner  in  America. 

There  is  a  painful  chapter  in  the  history  of  Mr.  Shinn. 
He  suffered  several  periods  of  mental  derangement.  This 
is  believed  to  have  been  induced  by  a  physical  injury,  re- 
ceived when  he  was  a  young  man.  He  experienced  an 
accidental  fracture  of  his  skull,  immediately  over  the  brain. 
It  seems  that  the  physicians,  at  hand  at  the  time,  were  not 
conversant  with  the  important  art  of  trepanning.  So,  the 
injured  part  was  allowed  to  heal,  without  receiving  the 
proper  surgical  attention.  It  may  readily  be  supposed  that 
the  indentation,  which  was  not  removed,  would  sometimes 
inflict  a  fatal  pressure  upon  the  brain.  His  death  took 
place  February  nth,  1853,  at  the  Lunatic  Asylum,  Brattle- 
boro,  Vt.,  where  he  had  been  for  several  years  confined. 
His  remains  were  brought  to  the  house  of  his  family,  at 
Allegheny,  Pa.  A  funeral  discourse  was  preached  on  the 
occasion,  by  his  former  compeer  and  co  laborer,  George 
Brown,  from  2  Samuel,  iii.  38:  "Know  ye  not  that  a  prince 
and  a  great  man  is  fallen  this  day  in  Israel?" 


REV.  THOMAS  H.  STOCKTON. 


THOMAS  H.  STOCKTON  was  born  in  Mount  Holly, 
New  Jersey,  June  4th,  1808.  He  was  the  eldest 
son  of  William  S.  Stockton,  Esq.,  a  highly  intelligent  and 
worthy  layman,  an  able  and  powerful  writer,  known  as  the 
originator  and  publisher  of  the  Wesleyan  Repository,  and  one 
of  the  fathers  of  the  Reform  movement  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Thomas,  from  a  child,  ever  feared  God,, 
and  ever  cherished  love  for  the  beautifiul,  and  reverence 
for  the  great  and  the  good.  He  dates  his  conversion  in 
1826.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  his  constitution  was  seriously 
impaired  by  sickness,  prolonged  for  nearly  a  year.  He  was 
nigh  unto  death.  Yet  God  raised  him  up,  for  many  years' 
eminent  usefulness,  though  he  was  ever  a  feeble  man.  One 
of  his  earliest  developments  was  a  fondness  for  literary  pur- 
suits. While  young  he  attempted  several  professions,  but 
none  seemed  the  right  one.  In  after-life  he  took  consola- 
tion in  believing  that  Divine  Providence  had  shaped  his. 
course.  He  had  to  relinquish  the  printing  business,  on 
account  of  tetter  on  his  hands,  caused,  it  was  believed,  by 
handling  type.  Subsequently,  he  pursued  the  study  of 
medicine.  This  he  found  congenial,  but  ultimately  could 
not  endure  the  idea  of  practicing  it.  Finally,  he  yielded 
to  a  conviction  of  duty  to  become  a  preacher.  The  event 
proved  that  to  this  work  he  was  eminently  adapted.  He 
preached  his  first  discourse  in  May,  1829,  under  the  direc- 

331 


332 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


tion  of  Dr.  Thomas  Dunn,  who  had  been  his  medical  pre- 
ceptor, but  was  now  his  spiritual  adviser.  He  was  now 
chief  minister,  as  his  father  was  chief  layman,  of  the  re- 
cently organized  body  of  Reformers,  afterwards  known  as 
Methodist  Protestants.  Thomas  had  come  into  the  organ- 
ization. Just  after  the  first  sermon,  Rev.  Nicholas  Snethen, 
first  President  of  the  Maryland  Conference,  came  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  on  making  the  acquaintance  of  the  young 
preacher,  engaged  him  to  go  and  serve  a  circuit  on  the 
Eastern  Shore.  He  had  been  married  a  little  over  one 
year,  but  consenting  to  the  arrangement,  when  he  had 
preached  a  second  and  a  third  Sabbath,  then  on  the  fourth 
Sabbath  he  preached  at  Easton,  Maryland,  there  and  then 
commencing  his  career  as  an  itinerant  preacher.  Here  his 
field  of  labor  was  extensive  and  laborious,  but  he  fulfilled 
his  duties  faithfully  and  successfully.  He  gained  so  rapidly 
in  theological  attainments,  and  in  pulpit  power;  in  a  word, 
became  in  his  first  year  so  able  and  eloquent  a  preacher, 
that  this,  his  first  circuit,  proved  his  last  and  only  circuit. 
At  the  ensuing  Conference  of  1830,  he  was  stationed  in 
Baltimore,  and  placed  in  charge  of  two  churches,  St.  John's 
and  Pitt  Street.  In  November  of  same  year,  he  sat  as  a 
member  of  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Constitution 
and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  So  also 
did  his  honored  father.  Here  Thomas  was  elected  editor 
of  the  church  paper,  but  declined.  He  recommended  Dr. 
G.  Bailey,  a  layman,  who  accepted,  and  this  began  his  edi- 
torial career.  This  last  named  gentleman  came  to  distinc- 
tion afterwards,  as  editor  of  the  Philanthropist,  Cincinnati, 
and  the  National  Era,  at  Washington  City. 

In  1 83 1,  the  Maryland  Conference  allowed  Brother 
Stockton  the  relation  of  Missionary  at  large,  on  account  of 
feeble  health.  During  this  year,  he  produced  some  of  his 
chief  poems,  which  subsequently  extended  to  a  volume.  In 
1833,  while  stationed  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  and  when  but 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


333 


twenty-five  years  of  age,  he  was  elected  Chaplain  by  the 
United  States  House  of  Representatives.  During  this  Con- 
ference year,  1834,  he  visited  Lorenzo  Dow  in  his  last  sick- 
ness, and  attended  his  funeral.  In  his  pulpit  Mr.  Dow  had 
preached  his  last  sermon,  and  he  died  at  the  house  of  one 
of  his  (Brother  Stockton's)  members.  In  1835  he  was  re- 
elected Chaplain  to  Congress,  by  the  House.  In  1836  he 
was  placed  in  charge  of  St.  John's  Church,  Baltimore. 

In  1837  he  finished  the  compilation  of  the  hymn  book 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  under  direction  of 
the  General  Conference  and  Book  Committee.  This  was 
a  work  adapted  to  his  tastes,  but  involved  much  labor  and 
research.  As  indicative  of  the  order  and  comprehensive- 
ness of  the  compiler,  the  Table  of  Contents  embraces  a 
complete  body  of  divinity,  and  every  possible  point  and 
topic  in  theology.  This  publication  went  through  many- 
editions,  and  served  the  church  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
three  years. 

In  1838  the  Maryland  Conference  elected  him  to  the 
General  Conference.  But  when  it  was  attempted  to  tram- 
mel the  representatives  by  instructions  on  the  subject  of 
slavery,  spurning  this,  he  offered  his  resignation.  The  in- 
structions, however,  failed,  and  he  served.  At  the  General 
Conference  (held  in  Pittsburgh),  after  stormy  debate  of 
three  days  on  the  vexed  question,  Brother  Stockton  was 
almost  unanimously  elected  editor  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant. On  his  return  to  Baltimore,  he  was  about  to  enter 
upon  the  duties  assigned  him.  But  an  unexpected  embar- 
rassment arose.  The  Book  Committee  attempted  to  bind 
the  new  editor  by  a  rule  to  keep  the  church  paper  silent  on 
the  subject  of  slavery.  His  great  soul  was  incapable  of 
bowing  to  such  unmanly  dictation,  considering  it  a  "vir- 
tual enslavement"  of  himself,  the  press  and  the  church.  Of 
course  he  at  once  resigned,  and  retired. 

Brother  Stockton  now  spent  nine  years  in  Philadelphia, 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


endeavoring  to  build  up  there  what  was  called  the  First 
Methodist  Protestant  Church.  The  organization,  however, 
ultimately  went  into  independency.  He  also  devoted  much 
attention  to  the  Institute  meetings  of  young  men,  and, 
withal,  labored  much  to  promote  Christian  Union,  and  to 
counteract  sectarianism. 

From  1847  to  1850,  he  resided  in  Cincinnati,  most  of 
the  time  pastor  of  the  Sixth  Street  Methodist  Protestant 
Church.  But  in  the  last  year  he  attempted  an  independent 
organization,  in  promotion  of  his  favorite  anti-sectarian 
scheme.  But  it  should  here  be  noted,  to  his  honor,  that  in 
this  attempt,  as  in  all  his  religious  specialties,  he  aimed  to 
exalt  the  Bible  above  human  creeds,  confessions  and  con- 
ventionalities. While  in  Cincinnati,  he  was  unanimously 
•elected  President  of  Miami  University,  Oxford,  Ohio.  But 
he  decided  to  decline  this  office  and  honor,  believing  he 
might  be  more  useful  in  pulpit  work. 

In  1850  he  again  removed  to  Baltimore,  where  he  was 
called  to  serve,  for  several  years,  as  joint  pastor  with  Augus- 
tus Webster,  over  St.  John's  Church,  and  several  years  as 
temporary  pastor  of  the  Independent  Church  founded  by 
the  late  Dr.  J.  M.  Duncan. 

We  would  state  that  during  the  three  years  residence  of 
Brother  Stockton  at  Cincinnati,  he  held  a  seat  in  the  Ohio 
Conference,  by  transfer.  But  upon  his  removal  to  the  East 
and  to  the  day  of  his  death,  he  was  recognized  and  enrolled 
as  a  member  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference. 

In  1856  he  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  contin- 
ued to  have  his  residence  until  his  death.  He  was  called 
to  serve  as  pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  New  Testament,  an 
independent  organization,  and  he  was  retained  in  this  rela- 
tion, after  increasing  feebleness  disabled  him  from  even 
visiting  the  house  of  God,  arrangements  being  made  for 
supplying  the  pulpit  by  others. 

In  1859,  and  again  in  1861,  he  was  elected  Chaplain  to 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


335 


the  United  States  House/)f  Representatives.  By  this  time 
physical  infirmity  had  disabled  him  from  officiating  in  a 
standing  posture.  But  retaining  his  clearness  and  strength 
of  voice,  he  was  enabled  to  fulfill  the  service  (seated  when 
preaching),  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  honored  and  ho- 
nourable men  comprising  the  audiences.  Of  course  he  was 
a  right-hand  man  to  the  late  President  Lincoln,  during 
the  darkest  hours  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  The  dedica- 
tion of  the  National  Cemetery,  at  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania, 
will  ever  be  regarded  a  memorable  occasion,  by  the  Ameri- 
can people.  The  oration  by  Edward  Everett,  the  address 
by  President  Lincoln,  and  the  prayer  by  Chaplain  Stockton 
have  been  published.  It  has  been  stated  that  the  services 
by  the  Chaplain  were  so  appropriate  and  so  impressive,  as 
to  have  a  marked  influence  upon  the  President,  who  subse- 
quently admitted  having  experienced  from  that  hour  a 
religious  change. 

In  July,  1862,  just  after  the  close  of  a  prolonged  session 
of  Congress,  he  fulfilled  an  engagement  to  deliver  an  anni- 
versary address  at  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  Delaware, 
Ohio.  His  effort  on  that  occassion,  though  delivered  in  a 
sitting  posture,  was  spoken  of  by  those  present  as  a  triumph 
of  eloquence  and  power,  not  to  be  surpassed.  He  upturned 
materialism  and  infidelity  with  overwhelming  argument. 
Thence  he  came  on,  by  invitation  of  the  writer,  to  Spring- 
field, bringing  with  him  his  physician,  Dr.  Stiles,  where 
spending  a  week  with  his  friends,  he  preached  twice  during 
his  stay,  in  weakness,  yet  in  great  power,  captivating  his 
auditors  with  his  spiritual  and  impressive  deliverances.  This 
proved  his  last  visit  to  Ohio.  Returning  homewards,  he 
spent  a  Sabbath  and  preached  once  at  Painesville,  Ohio. 

His  death  took  place  October  9th,  1868.  During  his 
last  illness,  he  seemed  to  sink  into  a  calm  submission  to  the 
divine  will,  and  a  patient  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the 


336 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Lord.  His  utterances  from  his  dying  bed  seemed  full  of 
heavenly  inspiration.    We  quote  a  few  of  them : 

"Three  passages  of  Scripture  are  of  particular  interest, 
as  expressing  at  different  times  my  condition.  The  first 
is  this:  'What  time  I  am  afraid,  I  will  trust  in  Thee.' 
Then  I  got  so  I  could  say:  '  I  will  trust  in  the  Lord  and  not 
be  afraid.'  Then  I  got  on  further,  till  I  can  now  say, 
'Trust  in  the  Lord  forever,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  ever- 
lasting strength.' 

"I  tell  you,  my  children,  I  am  very  near  the  end ;  I  must 
have  the  doctor's  candid  opinion  to-night,  and  if  he  says  it 
is  so,  I  will  say,  Thank  the  Lord!  The  sting  of  death  is 
sin,  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law;  but  thanks  be  unto 
God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  There  is  no  sting  in  death  to  me ;  that  is  all  taken 
away,  and  now  the  victory  is  mine. 

"O,  my!  how  I  desire,  and  how  my  desires  increase,  to 
know  things  as  they  are;  to  be  at  the  center  of  all  intelligence 
and  understand  all  the  truths  in  nature,  providence  and 
grace ;  to  see  the  Savior  as  he  is,  in  all  his  dignity  and 
grandeur. 

'  "Jesus,  my  only  hope,  thou  art 

Strength  of  my  fainting  flesh  and  heart, 
O,  could  I  catch  a  smile  from  thee, 
And  drop  into  eternity.' 

"  I  trust  I  am  going  to  see  the  grandest  thing  in  the  uni- 
verse :  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  shin- 
ing in  the  face  of  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

"  I  can  not  tell  you  how  happy  I  am,  at  the  prospect  of 
getting  at  the  center  of  universal  intelligence,  through  the 
mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

Brother  Stockton  was  a  preacher  of  great  eloquence  and 
power.  The  New  York  Tribune,  in  announcing  his  death, 
said  of  him  that,  "  During  that  part  of  his  life  in  which 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


337 


physical  strength  was  sufficient  tor  protracted  ministerial 
efforts,  Dr.  Stockton,  as  a  pulpit  orator,  had  not  his  peer  in 
the  country/' 

He  was  a  great  and  good  man.  But  his  greatness  was 
exhibited  in  his  humility  of  spirit.  Popularity  is  dangerous 
to  any  man  —  is  the  ruin  of  many  a  man.  To  be  compli- 
mented, to  be  lauded,  to  be  followed  by  adoring  throngs,  is 
what  few  can  endure  without  injury.  But  it  has  always 
been  evident  that  Stockton  cared  not  for  the  honor  that 
cometh  from  men.  We  remember  the  remark  of  his  most 
intimate  friend,  Dr.  Stiles,  that,  "When  Brother  Stockton 
met  with  newspaper  puffs,  or  flattery,  from  whatever  quar- 
ter, it  had  no  more  influence  or  effect  upon  him  than  the 
breath  of  a  babe." 

W 


REV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS. 


ROBERT  DOBBINS  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  April 
20th,  1768.  When  quite  a  young  man,  he  settled  in 
the  then  wilderness  of  the  North-west  Territory,  now  Ohio, 
near  the  present  site  of  Wellsville.  The  white  inhabitants, 
in  their  backwoods  rusticity,  knew  about  as  little  of  religion 
or  morals  as  the  savages  of  the  forest,  and  were  almost  as 
uncultivated,  being  given  to  hunting  and  sporting  on  the 
Sabbath.  Young  Dobbins,  however,  had  heard  and  re- 
ceived the  truth  by  the  means  of  a  certain  Methodist 
preacher,  who  had  penetrated  the  frontier  Qf  West  Penn- 
sylvania. In  his  wild  new  home,  alone  in  his  religious  pur- 
poses, and  destitute  of  any  public  privileges,  he  was  pained 
to  witness  the  immoralities  of  the  surrounding  settlers. 
Lacking  educational  advantages,  in  common  with  early 
pioneers,  and  lacking  also  all  helps  to  religious  improve- 
ment, save  his  Bible  and  his  prayers,  and  having  no  qualifi- 
cations for  appearing  in  public,  save  a  degree  of  grace  in 
his  heart,  he  had  no  thought  of  aspiring  to  the  ministry. 
He,  however,  ventured  once  to  suggest  to  a  few  neighbors 
that,  if  they  would  come  to  his  house  on  Sunday,  instead  of 
going  hunting,  he  would  read  something  to  them.  With- 
out his  knowledge,  this  proposal  was  noised  abroad,  and  an 
extensive  interest  was  elicited  to  come  and  hear.  Almost 
forgetting  the  proposed  arrangement,  and  little  thinking, 
perhaps,  that  any  would  attend,  on  Sunday  morning,  after 
338 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


339 


breakfast,  young  Dobbins  walked  abroad  into  the  forest 
for  religious  retirement.  Forgetting  himself  in  his  medita- 
tions, he  lingered  long.  Returning,  however,  towards  the 
middle  of  the  day,  he  was  astounded  to  find  the  approaches 
to  his  dwelling  thickly  encompassed  with  horses,  tied  with 
all  manner  of  thongs,  and  ropes,  and  withes,  indicating  a 
vast  assemblage  of  the  rude  settlers  from  the  surrounding 
country.  As  he  drew  near,  he  was  overwhelmed  with  sur- 
prise to  find  unmistakably  the  presence  of  a  multitude,  who 
had  convened  to  hear  from  him  such  words  as  he  might 
offer.  Unsuspecting  of  such  a  scene,  he  was  barefoot,  but 
partially  clothed,  and  in  an  altogether  out  of  fix  condition 
for  attending  a  meeting,  much  less  for  performing  the 
official  services.  His  dishabille,  however,  was  in  keeping 
with  theappearance  of  most  of  the  assemblage,  who  had  no 
idea  whatever  of  '"Sunday  best."  The  men  were  well  to 
do  who  were  clothed  in  buckskin,  and  the  women  in  fac- 
tory cotton,  or  calico,  at  best,  if  indeed  they  enjoyed  the 
luxury  of  a  sun-bonnet;  for  many  of  both  sexes  had  come, 
destitute  of  covering  for  both  head  and  feet. 

Our  young  friend  was  thrown  into  intense  embarrass- 
ment. In  describing  the  scene,  we  have  heard  him  relate 
that  his  perplexity  induced  a  paroxysm  of  cholic  pain. 
Endeavoring,  however,  to  raise  his-  heart  to  God,  he  re- 
solved on  an  attempt  to  read  a  portion  of  Scripture  to  his 
auditors,  and  to  engage  in  prayer.  This  was  his  first  pub- 
lic effort.  As  his  unexpected  extremity  was  doubtless 
providential,  so  according  to  his  day  was  grace  and  aid  im- 
parted. Hence  his  prayer,  which  to  himself  seemed  to 
have  been  offered  by  inspiration,  deeply  impressed  the 
hearts  of  those  present.  Prayer  ended,  he  could  not  send 
away  the  people  without  attempting  to  address  them  a  few 
simple  words,  declaring  his  religious  purposes,  and  calling 
their  attention  to  their  need  of  salvation.  The  gaping  as- 
semblage hung  upon  his  lips,  as  though  he  was  a  messenger 


340 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


from  another  world.  Convictions  were  multiplied,  and  a 
reformation  commenced. 

Such  was  the  beginning  of  Brother  Dobbins'  career  as  a 
preacher,  and  such  was  the  introduction  of  the  gospel  and 
of  Methodism,  into  the  then  wilds  of  Columbiana  County, 
Ohio.  Of  course,  meetings  on  subsequent  Sabbaths  were 
kept  up,  and  so  soon  as  practicable,  the  assistance  of  a 
Methodist  preacher  was  procured  from  Pennsylvania.  An 
organization  was  effected,  and  the  work  went  forward. 

Brother  Dobbins  became  a  very  able  preacher  of  the 
gospel.  Especially  was  he  gifted  in  upturning  every  for- 
tress of  infidelity.  With  an  almost  Whitefieldian  power  of 
voice  and  eloquence,  he  used  to  address  great  assemblies 
in  the  open  air,  with  what  effectiveness  many  surviving 
witnesses  throughout  the  West  can  bear  testimony.  For 
many  years,  he  served  chiefly  as  a  local  minister  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  But  the  arbitrary  course  of 
certain  presiding  elders,  for  which  no  redress  was  to  be  ob- 
tained, led  him  to  take  rank  with  the  early  advocates  for 
reform  in  the  polity  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
After  the  expulsions  took  place  in  Cincinnati,  in  1828,  and 
it  seemed  the  duty  of  those  adhering  to  the  Reform  princi- 
ples to  organize  a  distinct  church  association,  Brother  Dob- 
bins, about  the  year  1829,  voluntarily  seceded  from  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the 
organization  of  the  branch  since  known  as  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church.  Residing  then  in  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
he  was  associated  with  three  other  local  ministers  like 
minded,  residing  in  the  county,  who  also  seceded  and  en- 
tered the  new  organization  the  same  year,  possibly  a  short 
time  before  him,  namely :  James  'Fowler,  Joel  Dalbey, 
Sr.,  and  Jonathan  Flood.  In  the  adjoining  county  of  War- 
ren, also  lived  Adjet  McGuire,  who  was,  perhaps,  the 
earliest  active  pioneer  in  the  movements  of  the  day 
in  that  section  of  the  State.     At  the  second  Conference 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


341 


of  the  new  church,  held  in  Cincinnati,  in  1830,  Brother 
Dobbins  entered  the  itinerancy,  and  he  there  stood  regu- 
larly enrolled  until  his  death.  For  many  years,  he  served 
actively  in  the  regular  work,  until  infirmities  compelled  him 
to  take  a  superannuated  relation. 

Father  Dobbins  was  endued  with  a  vigorous  constitu- 
tion, and  retained  his  wonted  mental  powers  to  an  ad- 
vanced age.  Hence  he  was  enabled  to  serve  regularly 
various  charges,  by  appointment  of  Conference,  for  nearly 
twenty  years  ;  that  is,  until  he  was  over  eighty  years  of  age. 
For  ten  years  he  sustained  a  superannuated  relation,  but 
ceased  not  to  labor  in  the  gospel  work,  as  his  physical 
strength  allowed,  to  within  a  few  months  of  his  death. 
The  circuits  which  he  served,  usually  two  or  three  years  in 
succession,  were  Concord  (now  Port  William),  Highland 
(including  Bainbridge),  Washington,  Rehoboth  (now  Lynch- 
burg), Xenia  and  Springfield.  In  the  years  1836-37,  he 
served  as  President,  and  traveled,  we  believe,  over  the  en- 
tire District,  including  then,  besides  Ohio,  the  State  of  In- 
diana and  parts  of  Kentucky. 

We  think  we  never  knew  a  more  unselfish  man  than  was 
Father  Dobbins.  Little  in  his  own  esteem,  he  desired  not 
the  praise  of  men,  nor  craved  to  be  preferred  before  others. 
Thus  humbling  himself,  he  was  exalted,  in  attaining  that 
which  he  sought  not ;  for  his  brethren,  and  all  who  knew 
him,  delighted  to  honor  him  and  do  him  reverence.  He 
always  desired  any  one  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  to 
do  well,  and  to  preach  well,  and  he  rejoiced  in  their  suc- 
cess, not  desiring  to  have  the  reputation  of  excelling  them. 
His  meek,  Christian  spirit  commanded  the  love  and  esteem 
of  all.  He  departed  in  peace,  January  13th,  i860,  having 
nearly  completed  his  ninety-second  year. 

Mr.  Dobbins  once  represented  his  county  (Green)  for 
two  years  in  the  Ohio  Legislature. 

The  "Life  and  Times  of  Robert  Dobbins"  were  appro- 


342 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


priately  honored  and  perpetuated  by  the  issue  of  a  neat 
volume  in  1868,  by  Charles  Caddy,  of  Ohio. 

The  author  of  that  work  was  much  in  the  company  of 
the  venerable  patriarch  when  about  closing  his  earthly  ca- 
reer, and  officiated  at  his  obsequies,  after  his  decease.  He 
thus  relates  the  last  public  service  of  Father  Dobbins  a 
short  time  before  his  death  : 

"In  accordance  with  his  cherished  wish,  he  made  his 
way  to  the  old  Union  Chapel,  and  delivered  a  farewell 
exhortation  to  the  people.  It  was  like  a  father,  in  conver- 
sation with  his  children.  He  stood  in  all  the  noble  dignity 
of  a  matured  Christian  character.  His  form  was  bowed, 
and  his  hair  silvered  with  age,  but  his  eye  was  bright,  and 
the  tremulous  tones  of  his  voice  vibrated  upon  the  ears  of 
attentive  listeners.  All  present  were  touched  with  emotion. 
The  venerable  preacher  said  that  it  was  probable  he  never 
would  address  them  again.  With  words  of  burning  fervor 
he  once  more  taught  them  the  way  of  salvation,  and  then 
paused.  He  stood  a  few  moments,  with  a  countenance  all 
aglow  with  the  inspiration  of  heaven,  weeping  tears  of 
affection  and  joy.  He  then  resumed  his  exhortation,  weep- 
ing over  the  people,  calling  them  his  children  ;  and  at  the 
close,  reached  out  his  trembling  hand,  and  invited  sinners 
to  come  to  Jesus.  Seven  persons  came  forward,  and  gave 
their  hands  to  the  venerable  preacher."* 

His  remains  are  interred  in  the  cemetery  near  Washing- 
ton Court-house,  Ohio,  and  the  spot  is  marked  with  a  neat 
obelisk. 

By  request  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  at  its  ensuing  ses- 
sion, a  memorial  discourse  was  preached  by  its  then  oldest 
surviving  minister,  William  B.  Evans. 

*Life  and  Times,  page  143. 


REV.  ADJET  McGUIRE. 


V  DJET  McGUIRE  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  October 
^.1.  i 8th,  1778.  When  he  was  but  eight  years  of  age,  his 
parents  emigrated  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  near  Lexing- 
ton. There  they  were  converted,  among  the  first  fruits  of 
the  preaching  of  the  early  Methodists.  Their  son  also  was 
converted  in  youth.  We  have  seen,  preserved  among  his 
papers,  what  was  probably  his  first  license  to  preach.  It  is 
in  the  hand-writing  of  William  McKendree,  then  presiding 
elder,  afterwards  bishop,  and  bears  date  September  10th, 
1802.  He  commenced  his  labors  as  a  traveling  preacher 
in  November,  same  year,  as  assistant  to  William  Burke,  on 
Limestone  Circuit,  Ky.  During  the  year,  he  organized 
the  first  society,  in  what  is  now  the  city  of  Maysville,  under 
the  following  circumstances,  as  related  by  himself : 
"Brother  John  Armstrong,  a  merchant  in  that  place,  opened 
his  door  for  preaching  at  night.  When  I  went  on,  I  think 
the  second  time,  I  retired  to  a  private  room  to  pray ;  and  I 
never  had  a  greater  sense  of  God's  presence.  When  I  went 
down,  I  found  a  large  room  crowded  with  people,  all  un- 
converted except  Brother  Armstrong,  his  wife,  and  one  or 
two  more.  I  sang,  and  prayed,  and  commenced  preach- 
ing, but  did  not  get  through  with  my  subject.  My  voice 
was  nearly  drowned  with  the  cries  and  shrieks  of  the  slain 
of  the  Lord.  They  fell  from  their  seats,  with  loud  cries 
for  mercy.    A  number  obtained  salvation,  and  we  organ- 

343 


344 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ized  a  class.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  Methodist  Church 
in  Maysville."  During  that  year,  under  the  labors  of  the 
two,  about  three  hundred  were  added  to  the  church. 

At  this  early  day  there  was  but  one  Annual  Conference 
of  the  Methodist  order  in  the  West,  called  the  Western 
Conference.  Excepting  a  Pittsburgh  district  pertaining  to 
the  Baltimore  Conference,  this  Conference  included  the  en- 
tire West,  from  the  Scioto,  in  Ohio,  to  Natchez,  Miss.  It 
embraced  but  three  presiding  elders'  Districts,  one  of 
which,  called  Kentucky  District,  included  three  preachers 
and  two  circuits  in  Ohio,  namely :  Miami  and  Scioto  Cir- 
cuits. Having  traveled  a  year  under  the  presiding  elder, 
Brother  McGuire  was  regularly  admitted  into  the  itinerancy 
at  the  Conference  of  1803,  and  appointed  to  Salt  River 
Circuit,  Ky.  ;  in  1804,  to  Danville  Circuit;  in  1805,  to 
Licking  Circuit. 

In  1806,  he  was  appointed  to  Mad  River  Circuit,  in 
Ohio,  there  being  at  that  period  only  eight  or  nine  circuits  in 
the  State,  and  all  embraced  in  one  presiding  elders'  District. 
Mad  River  Circuit  then  included  a  large  portion  of  Western 
Ohio,  embracing  much  lonely  wilderness.  The  white  set- 
tlements were  sparse,  and  the  organizations  of  the  Metho- 
dists far  between.  The  now  densely  populated  country 
between  Springfield  and  Piqua,  on  the  Great  Miami,  was 
then  an  unbroken  forest,  through  which  the  itinerant  had 
to  find  his  way  by  blazes  cut  upon  the  trees,  or  by  studying 
the  Indian's  method  of  determining  which  way  is  north,  by 
the  position  of  the  moss  upon  the  bark  of  certain  trees. 
And  our  beautiful  cities  of  Springfield,  Urbana,  Piqua, 
Troy,  Xenia,  Dayton  and  Lebanon  were  not  then  in  exis- 
tence, save  as  obscure  villages  or  settlements.  In  the  last 
named  only  was  there  a  Methodist  society,  until  within  the 
same  year  (1807),  Brother  McGuire  organized  the  first 
Methodist  class  in  Dayton.  In  the  scope  then  occupied  bv 
the  old  Mad  River  Circuit,  we  presume  are  now  not  less 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


345 


than  one  hundred  efficient  circuits  and  stations  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  and  Methodist  Protestant  churches. 

On  January  ist,  1807.  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Johnson, 
who  proved  a  devoted  companion  and  helper  in  the  toils 
and  trials  of  half  a  century,  and  she  outlived  him  several 
years.  She  was  a  woman  of  much  prayer  and  great  faith. 
During  his  labors  as  an  itinerant  minister  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  Brother  McGuire  enjoyed  much  of  the 
divine  presence  and  blessing,  and  was  eminently  successful 
in  bringing  souls  to  Christ,  and  in  gathering  many  hun- 
dreds into  the  church. 

After  traveling  regularly  for  six  years,  enduring  inces- 
sant and  almost  unsupportable  toils,  incidental  to  the  labors 
•of  a  Methodist  pioneer,  he  found  it  necessary,  from  a 
physical  injury,  to  ask  of  the  Conference,  in  1808,  a  loca- 
tion, which  was  granted.  He  settled  in  Warren  County, 
•Ohio,  near  the  mouth  of  Caesar's  Creek. 

While  living  in  comparative  retirement,  he  labored  in- 
dustriously for  many  years  as  a  local  preacher,  and  was  at 
<various  times  engaged  by  presiding  elders  to  travel  one  or 
more  quarters,  to  supply  vacancies. 

But  Brother  McGuire  was  early  impressed  with  the  ar- 
bitrary features  of  the  government  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  embraced  reform  views.  For  this  he  re- 
ceived much  uncourteous  treatment  from  certain  presiding 
elders  and  their  adherents. 

Upon  the  publication  of  the  Articles  of  Association, 
adopted  by  the  Convention  of  Methodist  Reformers,  held 
at  Baltimore,  in  November,  1828,  Brother  McGuire  gave 
them  his  approval,  in  the  main.  Learning  that  said  Con- 
vention had  appointed  him  one  of  the  agents  to  organize 
societies  and  circuits,  he  at  first  experienced  a  struggle  in 
his  mind  as  to  withdrawing  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  which  he  had  so  long  lived  and  labored.  He 
hesitated,  however,  only  to  be  satisfied  of  his  duty  in 


346 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  case,  upon  making  it  a  subject  of  earnest  prayer  to- 
God. 

Early  in  January,  1829,  he  sent  to  the  presiding  elder  a 
resignation  of  his  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  set  out  upon  a  tour,  as  a  pioneer,  in  behalf  of 
the  new  organization,  subsequently  designated  the  Method- 
ist Protestant  Church.  He  preached  at  various  places  tt> 
large  audiences,  and  formed  two  classes,  which  are  still  in 
existence,  and  now  prosperous  societies,  embraced  in  Port 
William  Circuit.  During  the  ensuing  season,  he  traveled 
extensively,  and  labored  ardently  and  successfully  in  preach- 
ing, forming  societies,  and  opening  the  way  for  the  forma- 
tion of  circuits  in  Western  Ohio,  and  likewise  made  several 
excursions  into  Indiana. 

At  the  first  Ohio  Annual  Conference,  held  at  Cincin- 
nati, in  October,  1829,  he  was  enrolled,  and  in  attendance. 
By  that  Conference  he  was  appointed  to  Cincinnati  Circuit, 
which,  however,  had  yet  mostly  to  be  formed,  there  being 
as  vet  but  two  or  three  small  organizations. 

At  the  second  Conference,  1830,  he  was  appointed. 
Conrerence  Missionary  in  Ohio.  During  the  year,  he  made 
extensive  missionary  tours  in  the  eastern  and  northern  por- 
tion of  the  State.  In  subsequent  years,  he  served  in  charge 
of  different  circuits,  according  to  his  strength  and  the  open- 
ings of  Providence.  One  year  he  served  as  President  of 
the  Conference,  but  oftenest  in  the  relation  of  Conference 
Missionary,  being  well  adapted  to  usefulness  in  the  mis- 
sionary relation.  He  loved  to  labor  for  the  cause  of 
Christ,  and  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  he  ever  de- 
lighted in  witnessing  revival  scenes. 

Brother  Joseph  Wells,  of  Wellsville,  Ohio,  and  others, 
remember  his  effective  missionary  visits  in  Trumbull  andi 
Columbiana  counties,  Ohio,  where  he  made  several  organ- 
izations in  1831.  Others  remember  his  labors  in  Sandusky 
Mission,  where  also  he  formed  some  classes. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


347 


For  a  number  of  years,  he  sustained  a  superannuated 
relation  to  the  Conference,  but  labored  in  word  and  doc- 
trine, occasionally,  while  his  strength  endured. 

During  his  last  illness,  he  sent  for  the  writer  to  visit 
him,  though  at  a  distance.  He  promptly  complied,  spending 
a  day  and  a  night  with  his  old  friend,  with  whom  he  had 
enjoyed  so  many  social  and  religious  scenes,  in  years  gone 
by.  The  interview  was  tender  and  touching.  The  frail 
earthly  tabernacle  was  coming  to  dissolution,  but  his  soul 
was  at  peace,  confiding  in  his  God. 

Brother  McGuire  was  a  revivalist,  and  in  his  zealous 
labors  was  every  where  useful.  He  departed  to  the  better 
inheritance,  July  26th,  1857,  having  nearly  completed  his 
seventy-ninth  year.  His  son-in-law,  Reuben  Rose,  of 
the  Ohio  Conference,  described  the  closing  scene  as  calm, 
but  triumphant. 

His  remains  have  a  resting  place  in  the  cemetery  near 
Corwin,  Ohio,  overlooking  the  Little  Miami  Railroad. 


REV.  SAMUEL  THOMPSON. 


SAMUEL  THOMPSON  was  first  a  pioneer  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  New  England,  aud  subse- 
quently a  pioneer  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in 
the  West.  He  was  born  on  the  rocky  shores  of  Maine, 
October  5th,  1782,  and  continued  at  the  home  of  his  par- 
ents until  twenty  years  old.  Of  those  early  times  in  a  new 
country,  he  used  to  relate  that  hard  work  was  plenty,  and 
schools  almost  unheard  of.  In  1802,  he  was  converted, 
and  united  with  the  church,  and  in  the  latter-  part  of  the 
same  year  became  a  preacher.  In  1803,  his  name  appears 
in  the  Minutes, as  admitted  on  trial  by  the  New  England 
Conference,  when  there  were  upon  the  continent  but  seven 
Methodist  Conferences,  and  when  his  Conference,  includ- 
ing all  the  New  England  States,  embraced  but  two  presid- 
ing elders'  districts.  He  was  ordained  deacon  by  Bishop 
Asbury,  in  1805,  and  elder  in  1807.  He  labored  efficiently 
and  usefully  in  the  itinerant  field  for  nine  years,  serving 
various  charges  in  Maine,  Vermont  and  Massachusetts. 
After  his  location  in  181 2,  his  labors  were  scarcely  abated, 
for  there  was  much  demand  for  his  services ;  for  young, 
unordained  preachers  only  were  sent  to  the  circuit  where 
he  resided  during  his  stay  in  the  East. 

In  1 8 1 6,  he  removed  to  Wheeling  Creek,  in  West  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  spent  six  and  a  half  years.    During  this 
period,  to  use  his  own  expression,  "he  took  his  degrees  in 
348 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


34  9 


the  study  of  Slavery  and  Episcopacy,  both  of  which  proved 
so  offensive  to  his  principles  and  sentiments,  that  he  saw- 
fit  to  separate  himself  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church."  In  1822,  he  removed  to  Morgan  County,  Ohio. 
During  his  residence  here,  the  Methodist  Reformers  com- 
menced their  struggle,  first  adopting  Conventional  Articles, 
and  subsequently  organizing  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church.  Brother  Thompson  was  among  the  first  in  sympa- 
thy with  these  movements,  and  identified  himself  at  the 
first  quarterly  meeting  held  at  Zanesville.  At  the  first  An- 
nual Conference,  in  1829,  at  Cincinnati,  he  was  recog- 
nized as  a  ministerial  member,  though  not  in  attendance. 
For  fifteen  years  he  labored  to  build  up  this  new  branch  of 
the  Methodist  denomination,  laboring  for  a  few  years 
under  the  appointment  of  the  Annual  Conference.  But 
becoming  sensible  that,  agreeable  as  were  his  relations  in 
other  respects,  the  church  of  his  choice  was  in  complicity 
with  the  institution  of  slavery,  from  conscientious  im- 
pulses, he  united  with  Rev.  Orange  Scott  and  others  in 
raising  an  anti-slavery  church  (the  Wesleyan.)  Hereceivedr 
however,  from  the  Methodist  Protestant  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence the  best  testimonial  of  his  standing,  and  continued  to 
retain  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  former  associates 
in  church  relations. 

In  1848,  he  removed  to  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  contin- 
ued for  about  twelve  years  in  connection  with  the  Wesley- 
ans.  Upon  finding  that  the  Methodist  Protestants  of  the 
Northern  and  Western  Conferences  had  acquitted  them- 
selves of  the  evil  of  slave-holding,  he  reunited  with  them  in 
i860,  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  though  far  advanced 
in  years,  he  was  recognized  by  the  Iowa  Annual  Confer- 
ence, and  was  venerated  as  one  of  the  fathers  in  Israel. 

More  than  ten  years  before  his  death,  father  Thompson 
was  bereft  of  his  devoted  companion.  They  were  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  seven  of  whom  survive  them. 


350 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  writer,  in  his  first  year  in  the  itinerancy,  r83o-'3i, 
became  acquainted  with  Father  Thompson,  and  was  essen- 
tially benefitted  by  his  Christian  counsel  and  co-operation. 
He  was  an  able  preacher,  for  though  lacking  educational 
advanfages  in  the  early  times,  all  Methodist  preachers  had 
to  be  earnest  biblical  and  divinity  students.  He  officiated 
in  the  ministry  for  sixty-four  years,  from  his  first  license  in 
1802  to  his  death,  which  took  place  October  24th,  1867, 
having  attained  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-five  years  and 
nineteen  days. 

For  several  years  prior  to  his  death,  Father  Thompson 
(residing  with  his  youngest  son,  near  Mount  Pleasant, 
Iowa),  was  much  afflicted.  For  two  years  he  was  almost 
blind,  and  became  quite  helpless.  But  we  learn  that  he 
retained  his  memory  to  a  remarkable  degree,  and  though 
through  his  overwhelming  infirmities,  in  other  respects  like 
a  child,  on  the  subject  of  religion  he  was  as  clear  and  sen- 
sible as  ever  he  had  been  in  his  best  days.  He  prayed 
with  the  energy  and  clearness  of  thought  for  which  he  was 
so  remarkable.  When  near  his  closing  scene  on  earth,  he 
said  distinctly  to  his  daughter,  "My  faith  and  hope  are  the 
same  that  they  have  been  for  nearly  seventy  years."  His 
end  was  peace.    His  memory  is  blessed. 


REV.  CORNELIUS  SPRINGER. 


CORNELIUS  SPRINGER  was  born  near  Wilmington, 
Del.,  December  30th,  1790.  During  the  year  1806, 
his  father  and  family  emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  settled  a  few 
miles  west  of  Zanesville.  The  country  then,  and  for  a 
great  distance  west,  was  an  unbroken  forest,  not  even 
traced  with  bridle-paths.  During  his  early  manhood,  Mr. 
Springer  took  a  laborious  part  in  subduing  the  forest  and 
opening  farms,  in  what  has  since  developed  to  be  a  very 
rich  section  of  country.  It  seems  that  Asa  Shinn  was  the 
first  Methodist  traveling  preacher  who  visited  these  parts. 
It  was  in  i8o3-'4,  when  traveling  Hockhocking  Circuit,  and 
when  the  Baltimore  Conference  extended  to  the  frontier. 
In  the  summer  of  1809,  young  Cornelius  experienced  con- 
version, under  the  ministrations  of  Robert  Manley,  and 
united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

During  the  second  war  with  Britain,  Mr.  Springer  did 
effective  service  in  the  army  of  the  North-west,  command- 
ing a  company  in  the  region  of  Fort  Gratiot,  which  was 
erected  during  his  service.  After  the  conclusion  of  peace, 
he  taught  school  for  some  time,  but  in  1816  he  retired  from 
this  profession  to  enter  the  itinerant  ministry  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  in  the  Ohio  Conference,  in  which 
relation  he  served  for  fourteen  years,  and  until  his  with- 
drawal in  1829.  The  appointments  which  he  served,  as 
we  find  by  the  printed  Minutes,  were:  1816,  Letart  Falls; 


352 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


1817,  Marietta;  1818,  Barnesville ;  1819  and  1820,  Steu- 
benville;  1821,  Pickaway;  1822  and  1823,  Marietta;  1824 
and  1825,  Muskingum;  1826,  1827  and  1828,  Zanesville; 
1829,  Fairfield.  The  first  recorded  appointment  of 
Thomas  A.  Morris,  afterwards  bishop,  was  as  assistant  to 
Cornelius  Springer,  at  Marietta  (probably  Circuit),  in  1817. 

Mr.  Springer  has  been  known  to  state  that,  in  common 
with  thousands  of  others,  when  he  attached  himself  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  had  no  correct  views  of 
the  genius  of  her  government,  nor  the  high  episcopal  pre- 
tentions of  many  of  h*r  ministry.  But  ere  long  he  became 
convinced  of  the  fact  that  a  reformation  of  her  government 
was  essential  to  her  best  interests.  Upon  being  initiated 
into  the  ministry,  he  shortly  became  conversant  with  the 
arbitrary  workings  of  episcopal  power.  He  saw  that  (to 
use  his  own  words)  "the  presiding  elders  had  things  pretty 
much  their  own  way,"  and  that  any  opposition  to  their 
course  involved  certain  chastisement.  When,  in  1822,  he 
first  met  with  the  Wesleyan  Repository,  conducted  by  the 
elder  Stockton,  he  soon  found  himself  in  sympathy  with  its 
views.  He  became  a  writer  for  its  pages,  and  furnished  a 
series  of  very  able  essays  on  church  government,  over  the 
signature  of  "Cincinnatus."  His  writings  in  this  contro- 
versy, in  the  order  of  time,  had  precedence  of  those  of 
Shinn  and  Brown,  though  not  of  Snethen.  From  Novem- 
ber, 1822,  to  April,  1824,  we  find  nine  articles  from  his 
pen  in  the  Repository.  Some  of  these,  on  the  presiding 
elder  question,  if  now  reproduced,  might  be  found  to 
answer  well  the  purposes  of  the  present  writers  on  that  sub- 
ject, in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who  still  demand 
the  election  of  presiding  elders  by  the  Annual  Conferences, 
just  as  it  was  claimed  by  their  progressive  predecessors 
half  a  century  ago.  When,  in  1827,  the  advocates  of  re- 
form began  to  meet  the  inflictions  of  the  hand  of  power,  and 
Dennis  B.  Dorsey  was  made  a  victim,  Mr.  Springer  was 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


353 


one  of  the  first  to  communicate  to  him,  by  letter,  over  his 
proper  signature,  his  sympathies,  expressing  his  unqualified 
condemnation  of  the  act.  He  stated  that  he  had  been  the 
first  in  the  Ohio  Conference  who  had  declared  in  favor  of 
reform,  and  that  for  this  he  had  been  made  to  feel  the  dis- 
pleasure of  the  administration.  "But,"  said  he,  "the  course 
I  have  pursued,  in  relation  to  this  controversy,  I  conscien- 
tiously think  is  right;  consequently,  shall  continue  to  pur- 
sue it,  until  otherwise  convinced.  And  as  it  regards  con- 
sequences, I  would  not  swerve  an  inch  from  the  course  of  a 
manly  independence  to  prevent  the  worst  that  might  ensue." 

On  March  7th,  1829,  Mr.  Springer  regularly  withdrew 
from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  and  at  about  the 
same  time,  his  venerable  father,  John  Springer,  and  a  con- 
siderable body  of  Methodist  people  in  his  vicinity,  forming 
a  church  which  continues  to  this  day.  He  at  once  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  new  organization,  and  entered  heartily 
into  its  work.  He  took  part  in  the  formation  of  the  first 
(Ohio)  Annual  Conference  of  the  new  order,  held  at  Cin- 
cinnati, in  October,  1829.  He  continued  a  member  of  that 
body  until  the  division  thereof  in  1833,  when  he  became 
identified  with  the  Pittsburgh  Conference.  With  it  he 
stood  connected  until  1842,  when  the  division  thereof 
brought  him  into  the  Muskingum  Conference,  with  which 
he  stood  connected  for  the  rest  of  his  natural  life. 

By  the  Conference  of  1829,  Mr.  Springer  was  appointed' 
to  New  Lisbon,  which  being  an  unorganized  work,  was  ncC 
immediately  occupied,  and  his  services  were  providentially 
called  for  in  the  Monongahela  Valley,  where  he  formed  a 
prosperous  circuit,  including  Waynesburg,  Pa.,  Pruntv- 
town,  Morgantown,  and  Barns's  Mills,  now  Fairmont,  W. 
Va.  Wm.  H.  Marshall  was  called  to  his  aid  during  the  year, 
and  a  wide-spread  and  successful  work  resulted  from  their 
labors.  At  the  next  Conference  they  reported  302  mem- 
bers. 

x 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


By  the  Conference  of  1830,  Mr.  Springer  was  elected 
President.  He  traveled  throughout  the  Conference  during 
the  year,  every-where  encouraging  the  brethren,  and  effec- 
tively promoting  the  interests  of  the  cause.  There  was  an 
increase  in  the  year  of  about  2,000  members. 

In  1 83 1,  he  was  stationed  at  Cincinnati.  His  labors 
here  were  appreciated  and  successful.  As  a  faithful  pas- 
tor, he  was  accustomed  to  visit  and  pray  with  all  the  fami- 
lies once  a  quarter,  keeping  a  personal  record  of  all.  We 
give  a  specimen  of  his  minuteness.  In  one  of  his  reports, 
he  finds  five  widowers,  thirty-four  widows,  eighteen  men 
whose  wives  are  not  members,  fifty  women  whose  husbands 
are  not  members,  ninety-five  families  where  husband  and 
wife  are  both  members,  the  balance  made  up  of  young 
people.  During  the  latter  half  of  the  year,  by  request  of 
the  Editorial  Committee,  he  edited  the  Methodist  Correspond- 
ent, a  semi  monthly  religious  paper,  under  the  patronage  of 
the  Ohio  Conference.  And  it  so  occurred  that  Mr. 
Springer  was  continued  in  charge  thereof  for  the  remainder 
of  its  career.  For,  on  his  removal  to  Pittsburgh  the  ensu- 
ing year,  it  was  placed  under  his  charge,  and  issued  in  that 
city,  he  performing  the  editorial  service,  and  also  meeting 
the  financial  claims.  During  the  three  years  ensuing,  it 
was  issued  at  Zanesville,  under  his  care  and  management. 
During  this  whole  period,  the  avails  of  the  subscription  list 
little  more  than  met  the  actual  mechanical  expenses. 

In  1832,  Mr.  Springer  was  placed  in  charge  of  Pitts- 
burgh Station,  with  Asa  Shinn  as  assistant,  or  co-pastor. 
The  station  also  included  the  church  in  Alleghenytown 
{now  city),  both  being  embraced  in  one  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence. Mr.  Springer  resided  in  Pittsburgh,  Mr.  Shinn  in 
Allegheny.  They  alternated,  or  interchanged  services  at 
the  two  places,  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  during  the  year. 
In  some  important  cases,  in  the  administration  of  Discipline, 
Mr.  Shinn  presided,  by  request  of  his  colleague.    It  was 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


355 


during  this  year  that  the  Fifth  Avenue  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church,  Pittsburgh,  was  finished  and  dedicated,  June 
2d,  1833. 

By  the  Conference  of  1833,  and  the  two  ensuing  years, 
no  other  service  was  assigned  to  Mr.  Springer  than  the 
charge  of  the  Methodist  Correspondent.  This  was  deemed  of 
sufficient  importance  to  demand  his  time  and  attention. 
For  the  Correspondent  was  a  chief  organ  of  communication 
for  our  churches  in  the  West.  When  it  ceased,  in  the  fall 
of  1836,  there  was  an  effort  to  start  a  paper,  to  be  issued 
at  Wheeling,  but  it  proved  a  failure,  and  there  was  now  a 
sad  interval  of  nearly  three  years  without  a  paper.  In  1837 
Mr.  Springer  was  elected  President  of  the  Pittsburgh  Con- 
ference, and  traveled  the  District.  Both  the  Ohio  and 
Pittsburgh  Conferences,  at  their  sessions  in  1838,  took  de- 
termined measures  to  establish  a  weekly  church  paper,  as 
an  obvious  necessity.  Mr.  Springer,  then  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh Conference,  was  ultimately  engaged  to  establish  and 
conduct  the  paper,  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  the  Conferences  be- 
ing pledged  to  patronize  and  sustain  it.  In  a  subsequent 
statement  of  the  origin  of  the  Western  Reeorder,  Mr. 
Springer  truthfully  said:  "We  were  then  in  the  West,  from 
November,  1836,  to  July,  1839,  without  a  paper ;  in  con- 
sequence of  which,  darkness  and  discouragement  seemed 
to  rest  upon  the  cause.  When  our  opponents  misrepre- 
sented us,  we  had  no  means  of  defense,  as  but  a  limited 
number  of  copies  of  the  Protestant  circulated  among  us." 
Again :  "The  terms  on  which  the  paper  was  got  up  were  : 
1.  It  was  to  be  published  weekly,  of  certain  size  and  price, 
on  my  own  financial  responsibility.  2.  Its  columns  were  to 
be  open  to  all  the  official  documents  and  transactions  of  the 
church.  3.  To  be  open  to  free  discussion  on  all  moral 
questions."* 

•See  Cornelius  Springer  in  ".Methodist  Recorder,"  May  17th,  1SG8. 


356 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Mr.  Springer  exhibited  unmistakable  magnanimity  in 
meeting  the  entire  expenses,  and  assuming  all  liabilities  of 
the  enterprise,  in  its  incipiency  and  in  its  continuance. 
The  paper  was  hailed  with  joy  in  all  quarters  of  our  work 
in  the  West,  and  it  at  once  became  a  useful  medium  of  in- 
formation and  encouragement  to  our  community.  Mr. 
Springer  conducted  the  paper  for  six  years,  with  an  uncom- 
pensating patronage,  when  he  relinquished  the  charge  of 
it,  assigning,  as  one  of  his  reasons,  that  his  optic  nerves  had 
become  so  overstrained,  by  reading  at  night,  and  his  eyes 
so  painful,  that  he  had  to  give  it  up. 

After  the  period  of  Mr.  Springer's  editorial  service,  he 
was  not  called  to  engage  in  any  regular  pastoral  work.  He 
served  for  one  year  as  President  of  the  Muskingum  Con- 
ference, and  traveled  chiefly  through  the  Conference.  For 
many  years  he  held  the  relation  of  supernumerary  assistant, 
on  the  Zanesville  Circuit,  in  which  he  resided ;  and 
preached,  with  more  or  less  frequency,  we  believe,  always 
with  acceptance.  He  served  as  representative  in  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention  of  1830,  and  in  most  of  the  General 
Conferences  of  the  church.  The  last  one  of  these  which  he 
attended  was  the  one  at  Princeton,  111.,  in  May,  1875, 
which  was  but  a  few  weeks  before  his  decease.  Those  who 
were  present  on  that  occasion  will  remember  the  melting 
scene  that  took  place  when  the  aged  patriarch,  then  in  the 
middle  of  his  eighty-fifth  year,  took  leave  of  the  body. 
Business  was  suspended,  for  a  general  leave-taking,  in 
which  all  took  part,  while  the  veteran  exulted  with  a  shout, 
in  prospect  of  a  reunion  beyond  the  river,  where  we  shall 
take  no  more  the  parting  hand. 

Mr.  Smucher,  of  Newark,  Ohio,  who  wrote  a  memorial 
sketch  of  Mr.  Springer,  well  says  of  him  :  "He  was  a  man 
of  intelligence,  of  more  than  ordinary  intellectual  power, 
of  a  discriminating  mind,  great  firmness.  His  reading  took 
a  wide  range,  consisting  of  the  best  authors  only ;  hence  he 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


357 


possessed  a  vast  fund  of  general  information.  His  social 
qualities  were  of  the  first  order.  He  was  warm  in  his  at- 
tachments, genial,  courteous,  communicative,  entertaining. 
His  antipathies,  in  earlier  life,  particularly,  were  strong, 
and  his  resentments  sometimes  had  vigorous  expression; 
but  he  was  placable,  forgiving.  His  emotional  nature  was 
strong.  As  a  writer,  he  was  clear,  pointed,  concise,  forci- 
ble. Especially  did  he  excel  in  satirical  and  controversial 
writing.  His  sermons  indicated  mental  power,  independ- 
ence of  thought,  originality,  self-reliance,  a  thorough  ac- 
quaintance with  his  subject,  naturalness  and  force  in  the 
treatment  of  it,  and  a  catholic  spirit."' 

Full  of  days,  he  rested  in  peace,  on  August  17th,  1875. 
By  request  of  the  deceased,  Brother  John  Scott,  of  Pitts- 
burgh Conference,  officiated  at  his  funeral.  His  discourse 
was  followed  with  an  address  by  Brother  John  Cowl.  By 
request  of  the  Muskingum  Conference,  Brother  Alexander 
Clark  preached  a  memorial  discourse,  during  its  ensuing 
session.  These  discourses  have  been  published  in  a  memo- 
rial pamphlet. 


REV.  JONATHAN  FLOOD. 


JONATHAN  FLOOD  was  born  in  Virginia,  December 
29th,  1 781.  He  was  converted  in  his  twenty-first 
year,  and  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ; 
became  a  preacher  in  his  twenty-eighth  year;  served  in  this 
capacity  for  twenty  years,  until  his  withdrawal,  about  1829, 
to  take  part  in  the  organization  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church.  While  a  local  preacher  in  the  former  church,  he 
became  thoroughly  convinced,  having  ample  demonstra- 
tion, that  the  polity  rhereof  was  unscriptural  and  anti-repub- 
lican. He  became  an  advocate  and  a  petitioner  for  such 
modification  of  that  polity  as  would  give  the  laity  and  local 
ministry  some  check  upon  the  authority  of  the  itinerant 
ministry.  When  it  became  evident  that  the  plea  for  re- 
form was  to  be  answered  only  by  ecclesiastical  proceedings 
to  crush  reform,  Brother  Flood  was  among  the  first  to 
strike  for  a  new  organization,  embracing  those  who  had 
been  cast  out  for  principle. 

He  having  previously  settled  in  Green  County,  Ohio, 
his  name  was  enrolled  at  our  first  Ohio  Annual  Conference, 
held  at  Cincinnati,  in  October,  1829.  At  that  Conference, 
though  not  in  attendance,  he  received  an  appointment  to 
what  was  then  called  Champaign  Circuit,  in  connection 
with  the  late  Saul  Henkle.  This  charge  then  embraced 
Springfield,  Ohio,  and  a  large  scope  of  territory  in  Champaign, 
Logan,  Miami,  Shelby,  Clarke,  and  probably  other  counties. 
358 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


Subsequently,  he  served  in  various  other  charges  in  the 
Ohio  District,  as  Twin  Creek,  Highland,  Bainbridge. 
Washington,  and  some  other  circuits.  In  two  instances 
also  he  was  called  to  serve  as  President  of  the  District,  and 
in  this  capacity  traveled  throughout  the  then  extensive 
bounds.  For  some  twenty  years  he  resided  in  Randolph 
County,  Indiana,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  October  21st,  1S67.  Yet,  as  his  residence  was 
but  a  little  way  from  the  State  line  of  Ohio,  he  chose  to  re- 
tain his  standing  and  membership  in  the  Ohio  Conference, 
and  did  so. 

Brother  Flood  was  for  fifty-eight  years  engaged  in  the 
ministry,  either  in  a  local  or  itinerant  capacity.  During 
this  entire  period,  we  believe,  he  stood  unblemished  as  a 
pious,  dignified,  Christian  minister,  enjoying  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  all  who  knew  him  to  the  end  of  his  life.  He 
was  of  a  modest,  unassuming  disposition,  not  disposed  to  be 
a  "lord  over  God's  heritage,  but  as  an  example  to  the 
flock."  He  was  of  a  "meek  and  quiet  spirit,  giving  no 
offense  in  anything,  that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed." 

Upon  the  death  of  Brother  Flood,  the  family  sent  a  re- 
quest for  his  former  associate  in  the  gospel,  George  Brown, 
of  Springfield,  to  repair  to  their  neighborhood  in  Indiana, 
and  preach  a  funeral  discourse.  This  he  did,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  very  large  and  deeply  impressed  audience.  The 
circumstances  were  indeed  inspiring.  A  venerable  father 
in  the  ministry  had  departed  to  his  final  rest  and  reward, 
and  a  venerable  minister  and  old  friend  comes  from  a  great 
distance  to  officiate  on  the  occasion  of  his  obsequies.  He 
used  for  his  funeral  text  Psalm  xc,  10.  "The  days  of  our 
years  are  three  score  years  and  ten  ;  and  if  by  reason  of 
strength  they  be  four  score  years,  yet  is  their  strength  labor 
and  sorrow  ;  for  it  is  soon  cut  off,  and  we  fly  away."  His 
age  was  nearly  eighty-six. 


3G0 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


On  his  return,  Dr.  Brown  gave  us  the  following  memo- 
randum respecting  our  departed  friend  : 

"He  died  like  a  patriarch,  in  the  midst  of  his  children, 
who  saw  him  calmly  pass  away  to  heaven.  He  has  left  a 
widow  and  nine  children- — four  sons  and  five  daughters ; 
sixty-one  grandchildren,  and  twenty-two  great  grandchild- 
ren. More  souls  than  went  down  with  Jacob  into  Egypt. 
Most  of  his  offspring  are  striving  to  follow  him,  as  he  fol- 
lowed Christ,  to  the  heavenly  country  above." 

The  two  brothers,  Jonathan  M.  Flood,  of  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference, and  Sanford  H.  Flood,  of  the  Indiana  Conference, 
are  nephews  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  For  many  years 
they  have  been  able  and  valiant  defenders  of  the  principles 
of  their  late  venerable  relative. 


REV.  WILLIAM  B.  EVANS. 


"\T  TILLIAM  B.  EVANS  was  born  in  Lancaster  County, 
V  V  Pa.,  March  18th,  1794,  but  was  chiefly  raised  near 
Martinsburg,  Va.  He  died  near  Richwood,  Ohio,  March 
toth,  1S73.  Hence,  at  his  death  his  age  was  seventy-nine 
years,  lacking  about  a  week. 

His  father,  John  Evans,  had  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  and  himself  served  a  term  of  six  months  in  the  war  of 
181 2.  Shortly  after  his  return  from  the  army  service,  he 
was  brought  under  the  influence  of  saving  grace,  during  a 
revival  of  religion  in  his  neighborhood.  His  conversion 
was  marked  and  powerful.  He  was  soon  impressed  with 
the  duty  of  calling  sinners  to  repentance.  But,  in  entering 
upon  the  ministry,  he  was  much  impeded  with  misgivings 
and  struggles  of  mind  as  to  his  call  and  qualifications.  The 
divine  blessing,  however,  attended  his  earliest  efforts  in 
exhortation  and  preaching.  No  reasonable  doubt  remained 
of  his  duty  in  the  case.  He  became  a  zealous  and  success- 
ful preacher,  and  spent  more  than  half  a  century  in  the 
ministry. 

In  the  fall  of  1816,  he  removed  to  the  State  of  Ohio, 
and  first  settled  at  Mount  Pleasant,  but  afterwards  removed 
to  Harrisville.  He  was  soon  appointed  class-leader  and 
licensed  to  exhort,  afterward  to  preach. 

For  many  years  he  served  effectively  and  usefully  as  a 
local  preacher  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Though 

361 


362 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


pursuing  his  trade  for  a  livelihood,  he  often  traveled  from 
ten  to  fifteen  miles  on  the  Sabbath  to  preach  the  gospel. 
From  the  year  1823  his  ministerial  life  became  almost  as 
active  as  if  engaged  in  the  regular  ministry.  Though  great 
religious  interest  existed,  the  subject  of  reform  in  church 
government  began  to  excite  attention,  and  became  a  matter 
of  discussion.  Brother  Evans  had  his  attention  called  to 
the  subject  by  some  of  the  traveling  preachers.  And 
though  he  at  first  felt  opposed,  the  principle  of  lay  repre- 
sentation seemed  so  reasonable  and  right,  he  found  himself 
impelled  to  the  conviction  of  the  righteousness  of  the  cause 
of  Reform.  The  expulsions  of  Reformers  at  various  places, 
in  1827-28,  was  more  than  enough  to  determine  his  duty  in 
the  case,  and  he  identified  himself  for  life  with  the  friends 
of  what  he  deemed  correct  principles.  He  wrote  and  pub- 
lished a  small  pamphlet  entitled,  "A  Brief  View  of  the 
Government  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  set  forth 
in  Question  and  Answer."  Many  editions  of  this  were 
printed.  The  book  agent  at  Baltimore  informed  us  that  not 
less  than  one  hundred  thousand  copies  were  issued  from 
that  point. 

Brother  Evans  attended,  as  delegate,  a  General  Conven- 
tian  of  Reformers,  held  in  Baltimore,  in  November,  1828. 
Upon  his  return,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  enter  the  regular  min- 
istry, and  to  organize  churches  and  circuits  under  the  Con- 
ventional Articles.  In  this,  accordingly,  he  took  an  active 
part,  and  was  very  successful.  He  took  part,  also,  in 
organizing  the  first  Annual  Conference  of  the  new  denomi- 
nation for  the  West,  at  Cincinnati,  October  15th,  1829. 
This  body  has  ever  since  been  known  as  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, and  Brother  Evans  was  the  senior  member  thereof  at 
his  death.  This  Conference  at  first  embraced  in  its  district 
the  entire  territory  from  the  Allegheny  Mountains  to  the 
Missouri  Valley.  But  at  the  close  of  its  fifth  session  it  de- 
termined to  divide  the  district,  setting  off  the  territory  east 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


363 


cf  the  Scioto  and  Sandusky  rivers  as  the  Pittsburgh  Dis- 
trict. Other  Conferences  have,  from  time  to  time,  been  set 
off  from  this  original  nucleus,  till  the  number  has  reached 
nearly  or  quite  twenty.  At  the  first  Conference,  twenty- 
two  ministers  received  appointments,  of  whom  none  now 
survive. 

Brother  Evans'  first  appointment  was  to  Zanesville  Cir- 
cuit. And  now  commenced  the  trials  and  sacrifices  of 
itinerant  life.  He  possessed  a  handsome  property  at  Har- 
risville,  was  out  of  debt,  and  had  an  apparently  prosperous 
future  before  him.  But  for  the  sake  of  the  cause  of  Christ 
and  his  church,  he  relinquished  all,  and  afterwards  real- 
ized but  little  for  his  property.  But  another  sacrificing 
itinerant  took  him  by  the  hand.  Cornelius  Springer,  des- 
tined for  service  in  other  quarters,  relinquished  his  goodly 
home,  Meadow  Farm,  to  the  free  use  of  the  new  pastor  of 
Zanesville  Circuit,  during  the  two  years  of  his  service  there. 

Brother  Evans  was  a  revivalist,  and  was  every-where  a 
successful  laborer.  During  his  first  year  on  Zanesville  Cir- 
cuit, four  hundred  members  were  gathered  in.  William 
Reeves,  then  a  young  man  recently  from  England,  was  his 
assistant.  Being  reappointed  to  the  same  work  for  the 
ensuing  year,  Brother  Evans  had,  for  his  junior  colleague, 
Joel  Dalbey.  But  the  work  so  enlarged  upon  their  hands, 
that  it  was  made  a  six  weeks'  circuit,  and  a  third  minister 
was  taken  into  the  service,  George  Evans,  a  senior  brother. 
And  at  the  ensuing  Conference,  1831,  Newark  Circuit  was 
set  off.  To  this  work  brother  William  B.  Evans  was  ap- 
pointed for  the  ensuing  year.  Religious  prosperity  attended 
his  labors.  Many  valuable  incidents  could  be  given  ;  espe- 
cially in  connection  with  camp-meetings  held  this  year  and 
the  preceding  year,  attended  with  glorious  results. 

By  the  Conference  of  1832,  Brother  Evans  was  ap- 
pointed to  Cincinnati  Station.  Just  about  that  time  the 
cholera  epidemic  reached  that  city  for  the  first  time,  and 


364 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  accounts  of  its  ravages  were  fearful.  Yet  Brother  Evans 
was  on  his  way  to  his  appointment,  with  his  family,  in  a 
four-horse  wagon,  the  mode  of  travel  then  in  vogue.  Reach- 
ing Xenia,  he  met  and  passed  numbers  of  people  flying 
from  the  cholera.  On  account  of  the  reported  dreadful 
fatality  in  the  city,  he  was  advised  to  tarry  for  a  time.  But 
letters  received,  expressive  of  the  need  of  a  pastor  to  visit 
the  sick  and  dying,  determined  him  to  proceed.  He  es- 
sayed to  go  alone.  But  his  devoted  companion  said :  '  'No ! 
if  you  go,  we  all  go!"  So,  the  parents,  with  their  seven 
children,  proceeded  on  their  way  to  the  apparently  doomed 
city.  Trusting  in  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  and 
devoutly  seeking  for  divine  aid,  he  entered  upon  his  labors 
in  that  important  charge.  The  pestilence  shortly  subsided, 
and  during  the  ensuing  season  he  succeeded  in  rallying  and 
uniting  the  energies  of  the  church  in  promoting  the  work 
of  the  Lord.  He  established  general  prayer-meetings,  for 
the  special  purpose  of  seeking  for  a  revival  of  vital  godli- 
ness. These  were  soon  largely  attended,  increasing  from 
about  thirty  at  first  to  from  two  hundred  to  three  hundred. 
All  the  other  meetings  at  once  became  more  profitable. 
Conversions  were  frequent,  till  they  were  numbered  by 
scores,  and  within  three  months  after  his  arrival  in  the  city, 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  were  added  to  the  church.  We 
see  a  statement  in  a  published  article,  that  up  to  the  first 
Sunday  in  June  ensuing,  one  hundred  and  seventy  had 
been  added  to  the  church. 

By  the  Conference  of  1833,  Brother  Evans  was  re-ap- 
pointed to  Cincinnati,  in  connection  with  John  Clarke,  Jr. 
The  church  continued  in  prosperous  condition.  Towards 
the  close  of  the  conference  year,  the  propriety  of  holding 
a  camp-meeting  was  fully  discussed.  The  principal  mem- 
bers of  the  official  board  opposed  the  measure  as  impolitic, 
but  the  majority  in  a  popular  vote  was  for  the  camp-meet- 
ing.   The  decision  proved  a  wise  one.    The  meeting  was 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHLKCH. 


865 


a  success.  It  is  said  that  at  its  commencement,  Brother 
Evans  was  comparatively  alone,  his  colleague  being  absent 
at  some  distant  part.  The  religious  interest  increased  until 
it  resulted  in  a  general  revival.  The  brethren  who  had 
opposed,  now  came  forward,  and  were  soon  filled  with  the 
spirit  of  the  occasion,  and  became  zealous  workers.  Many 
were  converted,  and  the  work  was  transferred  to  the  church 
in  the  city,  and  the  closing  labors  and  scenes  of  the  year 
were  glorious. 

In  the  fall  of  1834,  Brother  Evans  was  stationed  at  Lou- 
isville, Ky.,  where  we  then  had  a  church.  Here  his  labors 
were  much  appreciated,  and  attended  with  success. 

In  the  fall  of  1835  he  was  elected  President.  The  dis- 
trict then  included  the  States  of  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Ken- 
tucky, as  well  as  Western  Ohio,  and  the  duties  of  the  office 
required  visitations  of  the  entire  work.  We  believe  Brother 
Evans  fully  fulfilled  his  service.  But  the  extensiveness  of 
the  routes  performed  on  horseback,  with  unimproved  roads, 
and  sometimes  unspeakable  difficulties,  rendered  his  task 
extremely  onerous. 

The  severe  labors  of  his  presidential  term  had  brought 
on  a  bronchial  affection,  which  almost  totally  disqualified 
him  from  pulpit  labors.  Hence,  at  the  Conference  in  the 
fall  of  1836,  he  was  constrained  to  retire  from  the  act- 
ive work  for  a  time,  to  recruit  his  physical  powers.  He 
removed  to  Cincinnati,  and  engaged  in  business.  In  a 
local  capacity,  however,  he  rendered  effective  service  in  the 
gospel,  and  after  a  while  found  himself  providentially  called 
to  resume  regular  labors. 

In  the  fall  of  1841,  a  vacancy  was  left  in  the  charge  of 
Cincinnati  Station,  with  Nicholas  Snethen,  supernumerary 
assistant,  in  his  seventy-second  year.  Before  us  is  an  old 
paper,  by  a  member  of  a  committee  of  that  church,  in 
which  it  is  stated  that  "after  much  consultation  and  search 
for  a  minister  to  go  in  and  out  before  us,  we  were,  no  doubt, 


366 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


directed  by  Divine  Providence  to  our  old  friend,  William 
B.  Evans.  He  consented  to  serve  in  connection  with  our 
old  father  in  the  gospel,  Nicholas  Snethen."  The  minis- 
trations of  these  men  of  God  resulted  in  a  gracious  revival, 
which  continued  three  months.  It  was  said  that  the  church 
was  not  closed  in  all  that  time.  Among  those  brought  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth  were  the  two  daughters  of 
Brother  Snethen. 

At  the  Conference  of  1842,  Brother  Evans  was  again 
placed  in  charge  of  Cincinnati  Station,  with  Nicholas  Sne- 
then assistant.  Their  joint  labors  were  still  effective,  and 
the  results  were  glorious.  We  must  here  note  an  extraordi- 
nary New  Year's  meeting,  held  the  ensuing  winter.  After 
previous  meetings  for  prayer,  on  Saturday  night  a  watch- 
night  meeting  was  held.  Brother  Evans  preached  from, 
"0  Lord,  revive  thy  work."  The  people  were  found  will- 
ing in  the  day  of  power,  and  God  honored  their  faith  and 
prayer.  When  the  hour  of  two  came,  a  great  congregation 
of  people,  sitting  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ,  were  loth 
to  leave  the  house.  This  memorable  watch-night  proved 
the  gate  of  heaven  to  many.  New  Year's  day,  1843,  was 
a  high  day  in  the  Sixth  Street  Church.  It  was  communion 
day.  It  seemed  as  if  the  day  of  Pentecost  had  returned. 
Great  audiences  were  in  attendance.  The  ministers  seemed 
unutterably  full  of  glory  and  of  God,  and  the  people 
seemed  filled  with  the  divine  presence  and  with  holy 
joy,  so  that  they  were  reluctant  to  leave  the  place.  The 
•communicants  were  more  numerous  than  ever  before. 
Mighty  outpourings  of  the  Spirit  of  God  attended  the 
preaching  of  the  Word.  Many  souls  were  brought  under 
deep  conviction  for  sin,  and  the  closing  scenes  of  the  day 
witnessed  many  of  these  repenting  ones  made  happy  in  the 
Savior's  love.  The  meeting  was  continued  for  several 
weeks.  The  earnest  labors  of  Brother  Evans,  joined  with 
the  wise  instructions  of  Father  Snethen,  imbued  with  almost 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


367 


his  youthful  energy,  through  God's  blessing,  produced  the 
happiest  results.  From  seventy-five  to  one  hundred  were 
added  to  the  church  at  this  meeting. 

In  1843  he  was  again  elected  President  of  the  District. 
Next,  he  spent  three  years  in  Indiana,  most  of  the  time 
serving  White  River  Circuit.  Returning  to  Ohio  in  1847, 
he  was  appointed  to  Lebanon  Station.  In  1848  he  was 
re-appointed  to  same  charge.  In  1S49  he  was  assigned  to 
Port  William  Circuit.  In  1850  he  was  again  elected  Presi- 
dent, and  spent  the  year  in  traveling  the  district.  In  1851 
he  was  appointed  to  Cincinnati  Circuit,  and  in  1852  was 
re-appointed  there.  In  1853  he  served  College  Hill  Mis- 
sion; in  1854,  Dayton  Mission;  in  1855,  Elm  Street  Mis- 
sion, Cincinnati.  In  1856,  he  was  left  to  choose  his  own 
work.  In  1857  he  was  re-appointed  to  Elm  Street  Mission. 
In  1858  he  was  assigned  toGermantown  Mission.  In  1859 
he  took  a  superannuated  relation,  and  in  i860  he  was  again 
left  to  choose  his  own  work.  In  1861  he  was  appointed  to 
Richwood  Circuit,  and  in  1862  was  associated  with  brother 
Thomas  B.  Graham  in  the  same  charge.  This  was  his  last 
regular  work.  His  increasing  infirmities  required  him  to 
desist,  and  fur  his  remaining  years  (ten)  he  sustained  a  su- 
perannuated relation. 

Brother  Evans  was  of  a  very  fervent  and  devoted  man- 
ner in  his  ministrations,  and  he  every-where  won  the  affec- 
tions of  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  commanded  the 
respect  and  affection  of  those  without.  He  was  a  man  of 
earnest  faith  and  power  with  God  in  prayer.  His  labors 
were  attended  with  fruits  every-where,  and  it  is  believed 
that  not  simply  hundreds  but  even  thousands  have  been 
brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ  through  his  instrumentality. 

In  his  declining  years,  uniformly  patient,  content  and 
happy  in  all  trials  and  privations,  he  joyfully  looked  for- 
ward to  the  day  of  his  release.  He  was  many  times  heard 
to  say  to  friends  and  neighbors,  "I  am  ready,  I  am  just 


3G8 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


waiting,  I  shall  soon  be  at  home;  there  is  no  sickness 
there!" 

Funeral  services  were  held  at  Richvvood,  Ohio,  on  Sun- 
day, May  4th,  1873.  By  request  of  the  deceased,  seven  years 
previously  expressed,  the  duty  was  assigned  the  writer  to 
deliver  a  discourse  on  the  occasion.  The  text  was,  Psalm 
cxxxvi.  6,  "He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  pre- 
cious seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  rejoicing,  bringing 
his  sheaves  with  him."  Quite  a  number  of  ministers  were 
present  from  a  distance,  and  when  called  upon,  the  follow- 
ing named  brethren  made  remarks :  Cornelius  Springer, 
James  B.  Walker,  Thomas  B.  Graham,  Wilson  R.  Parsons, 
I.  W.  McKeever,  J.  W.  Spring,  William  R.  Shultz.  Divine 
Providence  vouchsafed  a  beautiful  day,  and  a  very  large 
audience  showed  their  regard  and  veneration  for  the  de- 
ceased by  their  unbroken  attention  to  the  services,  for  the 
space  of  between  two  and  three  hours. 

One  incident  of  the  occasion  we  here  state:  Present  was 
a  venerable  man,  Peter  B.  Grace,  who  gave  a  written  state- 
ment that  he  was  present  at  the  marriage  of  Brother  Evans, 
at  his  conversion,  and  at  his  burial,  that  he  was  of  the  first- 
fruits  of  his  ministry,  and  that  now  he  was  in  attendance  at 
the  obsequies,  on  his  birthday,  he  having  been  born  May 
4th,  1800. 


REV.  GEORGE  BROWN. 


EORGE  BROWN  was  born  in  West  Pennsylvania, 


January  29th,  1792,  when  the  country  was  mostly  a 
wilderness,  inhabited  by  savage  tribes.  When  quite  a 
young  man,  he  did  service  as  a  soldier,  in  the  war  of  181 2. 
But  he  did  more  eminent  service  afterwards,  as  a  soldier  of 
the  cross  of  Christ.  In  the  fall  of  1S13,  he  was  converted 
at  a  Methodist  camp-meeting,  in  Maryland,  under  the  min- 
istrations of  Snethen,  Shinn  and  others.  From  the  first,  a 
venerable  Christian  pledged  him  never  to  shun  the  cross. 
Pursuing  ibis  resolution,  he  was  shortly  called  to  the  minis- 
try ;  and  he  lived  to  preach  the  gospel,  in  all  boldness,  for 
nearly  fifty  seven  years.  His  itinerant  life  began  with  the 
year  1815.  He  traveled  one  year  under  the  presiding 
elder,  and  then  entered  the  Baltimore  Conference,  which 
at  that  time  included  West  Pennsylvania.  In  1825,  when 
the  Pittsburgh  Conference  was  set  off,  he  became  a  mem- 
ber thereof,  and  so  continued  during  the  period  of  his  ad- 
herence to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  filling  some  of 
its  principal  stations,  and  serving  four  years  as  presiding 
elder.  Of  powerful  physical  frame,  having  a  well-culti- 
vated mind,  and  a  soul  devoted  to  religious  purpose,  Mr. 
Brown  became  a  very  successful  preacher.  He  stood  high 
in  the  connection,  and  hundreds  will  remember  his  zealous 
and  eloquent  ministrations,  in  years  gone  by. 

From  a  statement  from  his  own  pen,  it  appears  that  he 


v 


369 


370 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


was  an  itinerant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for 
about  six  years  before  he  heard  one  word  of  objection  to 
the  government.  The  incident  which  resulted  in  opening 
his  eyes  to  the  faults  of  the  system,  and  leading  him  to 
adopt  reform  principles,  we  will  here  give  in  his  own  words. 
About  the  first  of  the  year  1821,  being  then  stationed  in 
Wheeling,  he  attended  a  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Steubenville. 
He  says : 

"On  Monday  evening,  in  company  with  the  presiding 
elder  (William  Swayze),  I  took  tea  at  the  house  of  Dr. 
Stanton  (father  of  the  late  Secretary  Stanton),  whose  lady 
was  a  member  of  the  church.  The  Doctor  was  a  man  of 
sterling  intelligence,  and  great  moral  worth.  In  the  course 
of  the  evening,  the  elder,  who  was  a  real  recruiting  officer, 
asked  the  doctor  why  he  did  not  join  the  church.  There 
was  a  pause,  and  we  all  waited  for  the  Doctor's  reply, 
which  was  given,  in  substance,  as  follows  :  T  am  pleased 
with  the  doctrines  of  your  church,  and  with  the  meetings, 
but  I  do  not  like  the  government.  It  is  wholly  in  the  hands 
of  the  ministry.  I  can  never  submit  my  standing  to  the 
operations  of  such  a  government.  I  therefore  can  never 
join  your  church!'  I  was  filled  witli  amazement  at  such  an 
answer.  So  was  the  elder,  who  now  threw  himself  forward 
into  a  rapid  illustration  of  the  principles  of  the  government 
of  the  church,  by  comparing  them  to  the  machinery  of  a 
mill.  'There,'  said  he,  'is  one  great,  all-moving  wheel, 
which  describes  a  large  circle  (at  the  same  time  making  a 
circular  motion  with  his  hands),  and  that  is  the  episcopal 
wheel.  Within  this  large  wheel  are  other  wheels,  moving 
on  in  due  subordination  to  it,  and  they  are  the  presiding 
elder  wheels.  Within  each  of  these  are  many  other  wheels, 
all  in  harmonious  operation,  and  they  are  the  circuit  and 
stationed  preacher  wheels.  Within  each  of  these  again  are 
a  diversity  of  other  wheels,  all  operating  to  admiration,  and 
they  are  the  local  preacher,  exhorter  and  class-leader 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


371 


wheels.  So,  like  Ezekiel's  vision,  wheel  within  wheel,  the 
entire  system  moves  on,  with  the  most  perfect  regularity 
and  harmony.  It  could  not  be  changed  in  a  single  feature 
for  the  better.    O,  it  is  the  best  government  in  the  world.' 

"For  a  moment,  I  thought  the  Doctor  worsted,  and  my 
feelings  stood  redeemed.  But  he  replied  :  'Aye.  and  all 
these  wheels  to  grind  the  people  !'  This  answer  quite  con- 
founded me,  and  I  believe  the  elder,  too.  It  was  as  un- 
looked  for  as  a  clap  of  thunder  in  a  clear  sky.  The  Doctor 
proceeded  :  '  Your  government  is  more  tyrannical  than  that 
of  Britain,  which  our  fathers  threw  off,  at  the  expense  of 
so  much  blood  and  treasure.  That  government  has  in  it 
three  principles,  the  monarchical,  the  aristocratical  and  the 
republican.  Yours  has  but  two,  the  monarchical  and  aris- 
tocratical. Your  episcopacy,  which  is  indivisible  and  one, 
answers  to  the  British  monarchy.  Your  itinerant  aristoc- 
racy, to  the  aristocracy  found  in  their  peerage,  or  House 
of  Lords.  But  they  have  a  House  of  Commons,  where  the 
people  are  represented  by  their  own  delegates.  You  have 
no  such  House;  you  are  a  House  behind  them.  Your 
government  is  more  odious  than  theirs.  I  can  never  con- 
sent to  sustain  any  system  so  contrary  to  the  rights  of  man- 
kind, or  the  liberties  of  my  country.' 

"Here  the  conversation  ended,  and  we  all  went  to  love- 
feast.  But  it  was  a  queer  meeting  to  me.  My  mind  was 
absent  and  wandering,  sometimes  confused.  I  had  before 
me  the  machinery  of  a  great  tyrannical  empire.  Rise  who 
would,  speak  who  would,  I  could  see  little  else  but  wheels. 
And  the  Doctor's  sarcastic  retort  kept  ringing  in  my  ears, 
'Aye,  and  all  these  wheels  to  grind  the  people!'  This  was 
my  first  ray  of  light  on  the  subject  of  reform  ;  or  rather,  it 
was  a  flood  of  light,  almost  too  powerful  for  my  feeble  vis- 
ion. From  and  after  that  time,  I  was  a  convert  to  lay  rep- 
resentation." 

Subsequently,  he   became  a   vigorous   and  powerful 


372 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


writer  in  the  cause  of  Methodist  reform,  as  the  columns  of 
the  Mutual  Rights  and  later  publications  show.  He  after- 
wards bore  a  prominent  part  in  the  organization  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church.  He  was  a  successful  organ- 
izer, and  effected  much  by  the  delivery  of  able  and  con- 
vincing lectures. 

As  elsewhere  stated  in  this  history,  Brother  Brown  se- 
ceded from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  May,  1829, 
and  in  June  following,  at  the  request  of  the  Reformers  in 
Pittsburgh,  organized  them  into  an  Associated  Methodist 
Church.  By  the  first  Conference,  Cincinnati,  in  the  fall  of 
the  same  year,  he  was  continued  in  charge  of  Pittsburgh 
Station.    At  the  second  Conference,  he  was  re  appointed. 

During  his  pastorate  in  Pittsburgh,  commencing  in  1829, 
the  old  Smithfieid  Street  Church  was  occupied  alternately 
by  our  people  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  brethren.  This 
was  pending  the  property  suit  and  complications.  It  was 
not  till  June  1st,  1833,  that  the  first  church,  Fifth  Avenue, 
was  completed,  and  ready  for  occupancy.  During  this  pe- 
riod, as  stated  in  his  Autobiography,  a  glorious  revival  in 
the  church  took  place.  They  were  at  a  loss  for  a  place  to 
hold  Sabbath  evening  services.  The  preacher's  house  was 
found  to  be  the  most  suitable  place  for  the  purpose.  The 
folding  doors  on  the  first  floor  were  thrown  open.  The 
entire  space  was  occupied — rooms,  hall,  and  stairway,  and 
an  upper  room,  often  crowded,  and  many  left  on  the  out- 
side. At  these  meetings  many  souls  were  born  of  God. 
Of  this  occasion,  Brother  Brown  says  : 

"In  my  house,  every  Sunday,  there  were  two  class-meet- 
ings, and  the  above  named  prayer-meetings  at  night.  On 
Monday  night,  the  leaders'  meeting  was  there.  On  Tues- 
day, my  own  class  met  there.  On  Thursday  night,  the 
choir  met  there.  On  Friday,  Brother  Avery's  class  met 
there  ;  and  on  Saturday  night,  the  Young  Men's  Associa- 
tion for  Mutual  Improvement    was  there,  making  eight 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


373 


meetings,  in  all,  every  week.  It  may  well  be  supposed 
that  so  many  meetings  gave  a  great  deal  of  labor  and  trou- 
ble to  the  female  portion  of  my  own  family.  But  Mrs. 
Brow  n  and  her  sister  (now  Mrs.  Hodgson,  still  living,  at 
Cincinnati,)  were  of  one  spirit  with  me,  and  we  all  went 
for  the  cause,  cost  what  it  might.  They  who  prefer  their 
ease  to  success  in  a  righteous  undertaking,  will  never  ac- 
complish much." 

At  the  third  Conference,  1831,  he  was  elected  President. 
In  fulfilling  the  duties  of  this  office,  he  traveled  throughout 
the  entire  field,  which  for  several  years  included  the  whole 
West,  from  the  Alleghenies  to  the  Mississippi  River.  He 
served  in  this  relation  for  three  successive  years.  This 
was  before  the  era  of  railroads  and  telegraphs ;  and  the 
President  traveled  mostly  on  horseback,  with  occasional 
trips  by  steamboats.  Of  course,  long  absences  from  home 
were  involved,  often  from  two  to  five  months.  During 
these  absences,  several  times,  serious  afflictions  occurred  at 
his  home.  For  instance,  in  May,  1833,  the  writer  visited 
the  family,  then  residing  in  Wheeling.  It  was  during  the 
prevalence  of  cholera  in  that  city.  Brother  Brown  was 
several  hundreds  of  miles  distant,  on  a  western  tour.  In- 
telligence could  be  sent  him  only  by  mail,  and  while  he 
was  transient.  And  when  summoned  home,  he  could  come 
only  by  slow  and  tedious  process.  At  the  house  of  the  ab- 
sent President,  we  found  Mrs.  Brown  and  her  sister  both 
prostrate  with  a  malignant  fever,  and  their  mother,  Mrs. 
Jackson,  moving  about,  and  waiting  upon  the  two  daugh- 
ters. On  the  very  next  day,  if  memory  serves  correctly, 
this  good  mother  was  struck  down  with  cholera,  and  died 
within  a  few  hours.  Twenty-one  deaths  from  the  epidemic 
occurred  the  same  day  in  Wheeling.  When  the  President 
received  intelligence  of  the  condition  at  home,  he  made 
his  way  to  the  Ohio  River,  at  Cincinnati,  and  set  off  by 
steamer  for  Wheeling.    When  he  landed  there,  it  was  at 


374 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  midnight  hour,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  rain.  He 
proceeded  to  his  home  with  fear  and  trembling.  He 
knocked,  again  and  again,  but  receiving  no  response,  and 
finding  all  silent  and  dark,  he  feared  that  all  were  in  their 
graves.  But  a  neighbor  lady  raised  an  upper  window,  and 
apprehending  the  arrival,  informed  him  that  his  family 
were  removed  to  another  dwelling,  and  were  improving. 
Thus  was  his  anxiety  relieved.  He  spent  two  or  three 
weeks  with  his  family,  when  they  were  sufficiently  recov- 
ered to  be  taken  to  Cincinnati.  Here  he  left  them,  while 
he  finished  his  summer  campaign  in  the  District. 

The  Conference  having  been  divided  in  1833,  Brother 
Brown  remained  in  the  Ohio  division  until  1836,  when  he 
took  a  transfer  to  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  and  he  con- 
tinued a  member  of  that  body  the  rest  of  his  life.  For 
two  successive  years,  he  served  Allegheny  Station.  Then, 
in  1838,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  Ohio  Circuit,  embrac- 
ing the  soil  of  his  nativity.  In  1839,  he  was  elected  Pres- 
ident of  his  Conference,  which  then  included  West  Penn- 
sylvania, West  Virginia,  and  the  eastern  half  of  the  State 
of  Ohio.  He  states  in  his  Autobiography  that,  to  give  a 
Sabbath  to  each  circuit  and  station,  filled  up  the  whole 
year;  and  that,  besides  all  his  labors  in  traveling,  attend- 
ing Quarterly  Conferences,  love-feasts,  sacraments,  etc.,  he 
averaged  six  and  a  half  sermons  per  week,  throughout  the 
year.  In  1840,  he  was  stationed  in  Pittsburgh,  and  again 
in  1841.  In  1842,  he  was  again  elected  President  of  the 
Conference,  the  Ohio  portion  having  now  been  erected 
into  Muskingum  District.  He  now  filled  this  office  three 
successive  years.  In  1845,  he  was  appointed  Conference 
missionary.  In  1846,  and  again  in  1847,  'ie  was  elected 
President.  In  1848,  and  again  in  1849,  ne  was  stationed 
in  Connellsville.  In  1850,  he  was  appointed  to  Manches- 
ter Circuit.  In  1851,  and  again  in  1852,  he  was  elected 
President.    After  the  oppressive  toils  of  this  service,  he  was 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


375 


placed  in  a  superannuated  relation,  for  two  years,  1853  and 
1854.  Then,  for  more  than  two  years,  he  served  as  Presi- 
dent of  Madison  College,  1855  to  1857,  as  elsewhere  re- 
lated in  this  volume.  After  this,  he  was  again  placed  on 
the  superannuated  list. 

In  November,  i860,  Mr.  Brown  was  elected  editor  of 
the  Western  Methodist  Protestant,  Springfield,  Ohio,  and 
served  for  a  term  of  two  years.  He  entered  upon  his  new 
duties  with  the  zeal  of  earlier  years.  Though  his  articles, 
in  great  part,  were  deemed  rather  staid  for  a  periodical 
journal,  yet  in  them  frequently  a  vigor  and  spiciness  ap- 
peared. And  woe  to  the  party  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
flict. For,  when  exigency  occured,  he  was  found  "a  man 
of  war  from  his  youth."  During  his  editorial  service,  he  pro- 
duced many  useful  theological  and  ecclesiastical  articles, 
which  might  make  a  volume.  Mean  while,  he  retained  remark- 
ably his  preaching  abilities,  and  often  supplied  the  pulpit 
with  great  acceptance.  After  his  term  as  editor,  he  held 
a  superannuated  relation  to  his  Conference  until  his  de- 
cease, which  took  place  at  his  home  in  Springfield,  in  great 
peace,  on  October  25th,  187 1. 

So  long  as  he  was  able  to  render  public  service,  which 
was  almost  to  the  last,  he  had  frequent  calls  to  visit 
churches,  and  to  attend  popular  meetings,  sometimes  at 
great  distances.  He  would  go  in  mid-winter  to  dedications 
in  Iowa  or  Illinois,  and  in  mid  summer  to  camp  meetings 
in  Michigan  or  New  York.  During  the  year  1869,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven  years,  he  preached  eighty-five  times, 
and  traveled  nearly  seven  thousand  miles.  To  the  last,  it 
was  his  nature  to  respond  affirmatively  to  calls,  if  possible. 
Sometimes  he  would  reluctantly  break  away,  on  account  of 
the  extreme  feebleness  of  Mrs.  Brown.  But  she  never  al- 
lowed him,  upon  her  account,  to  absent  himself  from  any 
religious  service,  and  it  pleased  God  that  she  survived  him 


376 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


for  more  than  five  years,  until  August  5th,  1877,  when  she 
too  was  called  to  the  better  world. 

Dr.  Brown  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1830,  and  served  as  representative  in  nine  General 
Conferences.  He  also  served  as  delegate  in  three  General 
Conventions,  1858,  i860  and  1862,  in  each  of  which  Con- 
ventions he  was  called  to  preside. 

One  thing  the  writer  deems  it  a  duty  here  to  state,  as 
creditable  to  the  character  of  Brother  Brown.  During 
the  anti-slavery  discussions  in  the  church,  for  many  years, 
though  always  anti-slavery  in  his  views,  he  uniformly 
sustained  conservative  positions  and  measures,  in  any  mat- 
ter involving  separation  or  suspension  between  the  two 
sect'ons  of  the  church  ;  and  in  this  he  sometimes  stood  in 
opposition  to  the  majority.  But  in  1858,  just  in  the  im- 
portant crisis,  he  took  decided  ground  with  his  brethren. 
In  his  Autobiography,  speaking  of  this  circumstance,  he 
thus  nobly  expresses  himself : 

'4  now  believe  that  they  were  right,  and  I  was  wrong, 
and  that  there  was  an  overruling  Providence,  shaping  our 
course,  and  directing  our  affairs,  when  in  the  Convention 
of  1S58  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  the  free  States 
did  suspend  all  official  connection  with  the  slave-holding 
Conferences  and  churches.  In  doing  that  act,  we  retained 
our  ministers  and  members,  who,  on  account  of  our  con- 
nection with  the  slave-holding  portion,  would  have  gone  off 
from  us  to  other  churches.  In  doing  that  act,  we  were 
guided  by  a  higher  wisdom  than  our  own,  in  an  escape 
from  the  ruinous  condition  into  which  the  coming  war,  not 
seen  by  us,  would  have  plunged  our  church.  In  doing 
that  act,  in  obedience  to  our  clearest  convictions  of  moral 
rio-ht,  without  waiting,  as  did  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  for  the  civil  or  military  power  to  open  our  way,  we 
did  what  we  never  expect  to  regret,  while  life,  or  thought, 
or  being  lasts,  or  immortality  endures." 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH.  o77 

After  he  retired  from  editorial  service,  Brother  Brown 
wrote  and  published  his  '"Recollections  of  Itinerant  Life," 
an  octavo  volume  of  456  pages,  an  autobiography  of  great 
interest,  full  of  incident,  and  details  of  travel,  gospel  labors 
and  experiences. 

It  is  remarkable  that  George  Brown  never  missed  at- 
tendance at  any  session  of  his  Conference,  from  1815  to 
187 1.  During  his  residence  in  Springfield,  his  presence 
was  looked  for  also  at  the  sessions  of  Ohio  and  Muskingum, 
as  well  as  the  Pittsburgh  Conference.  lie  attended  the 
fall  sessions  of  die  three,  in  187 1,  for  the  last  time.  His 
sermon  on  Sabbath,  at  the  Ohio  Conference,  Bellbrook,  in 
September,  will  be  long  remembered.  His  discourse  was 
clear,  systematic,  logical,  forcible.  If  not  his  youthful 
vigor,  at  least  his  manhood  of  former  preaching  power  re 
turned  to  him.  More  than  this — his  words  were  in  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  in  much  assurance.  The  same  week, 
stopping  but  one  day  at  his  home,  he  set  off  for  Pittsburgh 
Conference,  at  Eldersville.  On  the  way,  he  suffered  un 
usual  pains  and  discomforts,  and  as  he  afterwards  informed 
the  writer,  he  prayed  that  he  might  be  enabled  to  come 
home  to  die.  But  his  Conference,  not  aware  of  his  en- 
feebled and  suffering  state,  constrained  him  to  deliver  a 
memorial  discourse  on  the  death  of  William  Reeves,  who 
had  been  called  away  within  the  year.  He  could  not  re- 
fuse the  service;  but  it  was  too  much  for  his  strength.  He 
never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  that  exhaustive  effort. 
He  returned  home  much  enfeebled.  Vet  he  felt  con 
strained  to  visit  once  more  the  Muskingum  Conference,  at 
Tiffin.  He  there  had  lodgings  adjoining  the  church,  and 
attended  the  sessions  and  the  religious  services,  though  suf 
fering  constant  pain.  Returning  home,  he  was  a  sick  man. 
But  as  the  ensuing  Sabbath  was  communion  day  at  the 
Springfield  church,  he  said  to  his  family,  ''I  must  go  ;  this 
is  my  last  chance  to  attend  sacramental  service.-'    He  was 


378 


ft  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


there,  but  too  feeble  to  take  part  in  officiating.  But  at  the 
close  he  spoke  a  few  affectionate  words  to  the  people,  with 
impressive  effect,  as  it  was  so  evidently  the  last  time.  His 
complaint  finally  assumed  the  form  of  typhoid  fever.  The 
services  of  physicians  were  faithfully  rendered,  but  either 
they  came  too  late,  or  they  here  met  a  case  which  baffled 
their  skill.  The  writer  visited  him  daily  during  his  last  ill- 
ness. At  one  of  his  calls,  he  remarked:  "What  an  awful 
blunder  it  would  have  been,  if  I  had  come  to  this  hour 
without  securing  the  comforts  of  religion.  But  I  have  un- 
shaken faith  in  God.    I  know  whom  I  have  believed." 

His  funeral  brought  out  a  general  attendance  of  com- 
munity. Clergymen  of  all  denominations,  to  the  num- 
ber of  twenty-six,  were  present,  including  the  senior  bishop, 
Morris. 

A  neat  marble  monument  marks  the  resting  place  of 
George  Brown  and  his  amiable  companion.  It  was  erected 
from  the  contributions  of  his  brethren  in  the  Ohio,  Pitts- 
burgh and  Muskingum  Conferences,  costing  $250. 

John  W.  Ellis,  who  accompanied  Brother  Brown  in  his 
visit  to  Baltimore,  as  fraternal  messenger  to  the  General 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  in  1870,. 
gave  this  account : 

"Dr.  Brown's  fraternal  address  before  the  General  Con- 
ference, in  Baltimore,  was  very  impressive.  The  separa- 
tion of  the  Northern  and  Southern  wings  of  the  church, 
and  the  hopeful  view  of  a  reunion,  together  with  the  ad- 
vantages both  would  derive,  were  points  which  he  made  in 
kind  words,  accompanied  with  tears.  Lastly,  he  said : 
'These  things  may  not  come  to  pass  until  after  this  gray 
head  shall  lie  upon  its  last  pillow.'  "  His  words  were  pro- 
phetic of  the  result. 


REV.  JOEL  DALBEY. 


JOEI.  DALBEY  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  June  ist, 
1810.  His  venerable  father,  whose  namesake  he  was, 
settled  in  the  valley  of  Paint  Creek,  in  the  interior  of  West- 
ern Ohio,  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 
Cincinnati  and  Chillicothe  were  but  small  towns,  and  the 
space  between  them  was  almost  an  entire  wilderness,  over 
which  roamed  the  bear,  deer  and  panther,  and  was  here 
and  there  dotted  with  Indian  wigwams.  Father  Dalbey 
was  himself,  for  many  years,  and  until  his  death,  an  es- 
teemed and  useful  local  minister.  He  had  four  sons  (of 
whom  Joel  was  the  eldest),  all  of  whom  became  preachers. 
He  also  had  three  daughters,  who  became  ministers'  wives. 
Inured  to  the  toils  and  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  Joel, 
when  quite  a  youth,  assumed  mostly  the  care  and  labors  of 
his  father's  farm.  He  states  that  he  was  reared  up  without 
the  advantages  of  a  common  school  education.  He  em- 
braced religion  in  early  life,  and  soon  began  to  exhort,  and 
call  sinners  to  repentance.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  in 
the  summer  of  1828,  when  just  eighteen  years  of  age,  by  a 
Quarterly  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  same  year,  upon  a  recommendation  taken  to  the  Con- 
ference by  the  presiding  elder,  John  Collins,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  itinerancy,  and  received  an  appointment. 
But,  on  account  of  his  youth,  and  lack  of  advantages,  and 
being  appointed  alone  upon  a  circuit,  he  felt  impelled  to 

379 


380 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


decline  it.  Meanwhile,  he  was  conversant  with  the  reform 
movement,  then  at  its  bight  His  father,  and  many  others, 
on  account  of  oppressive  acts  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
administration,  seceded  in  February,  1829,  and  organized 
as  Associated  Methodists. 

Young  Joel  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood.  He 
turned  away  from  the  offer  of  place  and  position  in  more 
popular  ranks,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  toils  and  strug- 
gles of  the  new  organization.  He  was  no  polemic  in  church 
controversy,  but  being  a  gifted  exhorter,  and  becoming  an 
earnest  and  able  preacher,  he  zealously  proclaimed  the  gos- 
pel, and  was  successful  in  bringing  many  souls  to  Christ, 
gathering  them  into  his  preferred  branch  of  the  fold.  It 
was  in  June,  1829,  that  he  fully  identified  himself,  and  was 
engaged  by  Adjet  McGuire  to  travel  upon  Xenia  Circuit, 
in  connection  with  a  senior  minister.  Brother  McGuire, 
who  had  mostly  formed  the  circuit,  engaged  to  procure  for 
him  a  horse.  Accordingly,  he  lost  no  time  to  proceed  to 
Cincinnati,  where  generous  brethren,  then  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  Asa  Shinn,  at  once  furnished  a  horse,  saddle 
and  bridle  for  the  young  itinerant.  The  old  minister,  with 
alacrity,  returned  with  his  acquisition,  we  believe  leading 
the  animal  all  the  way  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  met 
Brother  Dalbey,  and  saw  him  equipped  for  his  work.  He 
proceeded  to  serve  Xenia  Circuit  for  the  remainder  of  the 
official  year,  though  suffering  embarrassment  from  diffi- 
dence, on  account  of  his  youth  and  his  lack  of  literary  ac- 
quirements, which,  however,  he  gradually  overcame,  and 
was,  during  a  long  career,  a  workman  not  needing  to  be 
ashamed,  though  being  called  to  serve  in  the  most  impor- 
tant positions. 

Arrangements  were  now  made  for  holding  the  first  An- 
nual Conference  of  the  new  order  at  Cincinnati,  October 
15th,  1829.  Brother  Dalbey,  though  little  over  nineteen 
years  of  age,  yet  having  been  preaching  for  more  than  one 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


3S1 


year,  was  on  hand  at  this  Conference,  ready  to  consecrate 
h'mself  to  his  life  work,  that  of  an  itinerant  preacher; 
ready  to  do  and  suffer  in  the  toils  and  privations  and  sacri- 
fices of  an  enterprise  which  he  saw  to  be  righteous,  but 
subject  to  opposition  and  painful  endurances  every-where. 

The  Conference  of  1829  appointed  Brother  Dalbey  to 
Highland  Circuit,  with  Benson  Goldsbury.  The  record 
shows  that  the  work  prospered  on  their  hands,  the  number 
in  the  society  increasing  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  and 
sixty-seven.  In  1830,  he  was  elected  to  deacon's  orders, 
though  but  twenty  years  of  age,  the  Constitution  not  yet 
having  been  adopted  making  twenty-one  years  a  term  of 
eligibility.  He  was  appointed  to  Zanesville  Circuit,  with 
William  B.  Evans  as  his  superintendent,  who  found  in  him 
a  true  yoke  fellow,  and  who  related  many  incidents  of  his 
labors,  his  power  in  prayer,  his  influence  with  the  people 
as  a  sweet  singer  and  fervent  preacher.  Great  numbers 
were  gathered  into  the  church  under  the  joint  labors  of 
these  men  of  God. 

In  1 83 1  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  Highland  Circuit, 
which  doubled  its  numbers  within  the  year,  as  the  Minutes 
show.  In  1832  he  was  appointed  to  Coshocton  Circuit, 
which,  during  the  year,  had  an  increase  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty.  In  1833  the  Conference  was  divided.  Brother 
Dalbey  remaining  in  the  Pittsburgh  division.  He  was  ap- 
pointed to  Zanesville  Station  for  the  ensuing  year.  In  1834 
he  was  returned  to  Coshocton  Circuit;  in  1835  appointed 
to  Warrensville  or  Cleveland  Circuit,  and  returned  to  the 
same  work  in  1836.  In  1837  he  was  assigned  to  New  Lis- 
bon Circuit.  In  1838  he  was  called  to  take  charge  of 
Pittsburgh  Station,  and  in  1S39,  continued  for  a  second 
year  in  same  charge.  At  the  close  of  his  term  of  service 
the  Quarterly  Conference  of  the  station,  with  a  vote  of 
thanks,  certified  to  his  faithful  labors  and  Christian  deport- 
ment. 


3S2 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


In  1840  lie  was  stationed  in  Steubenville.  In  1841 
he  was  elected  President  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  and 
spent  the  year  in  the  arduous  labors  of  that  extensive  dis- 
trict. In  1842  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  was  divided,  and 
Brother  Dalbey  remained  in  the  Muskingum  division. 
Same  year  he  was  appointed  to  charge  of  Zanesville  Cir- 
cuit. In  1843  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Muskingum 
Conference,  and  fulfilled  the  duties  of  an  itinerant  officer. 
In  1844  he  was  returned  to  Zanesville  Circuit,  and  in  1845 
re-appointed  to  the  same  charge.  Meanwhile,  Cincinnati 
Station,  then  including  the  two  charges  of  Sixth  street  and 
Elm  street,  made  a  special  and  urgent  requisition  for  the 
services  of  Brother  Dalbey.  His  junior  brother,  Reuben 
M.  Dalbey,  was  appointed  to  the  station,  with  the  under- 
standing that  another  should  be  supplied,  awaiting  the 
response  of  brother  Joel  Dalbey.  The  circuit  hesitatingly 
consented  to  his  release.  He  accordingly  removed  to  Cin- 
cinnati the  same  fall,  and  served  the  church  with  great 
acceptance  and  usefulness.  Here  it  is  mentioned  as  cred- 
itable to  him,  that  he  persistently  declined  the  urgent  request 
of  his  brother  and  colleague  that  he  should  assume  the 
duties  of  superintendent,  as  of  more  advanced  age  and 
experience,  as  had  been  contemplated.  So  the  junior 
brother  had  to  occupy  that  position  for  the  year.  At  the 
ensuing  session  of  Ohio  Conference,  1846,  he  (Joel  Dalbey) 
regularly  came  into  that  body  by  transfer,  and  was  re-ap- 
pointed to  the  Sixth  Street  Station  for  the  ensuing  year. 
Meanwhile,  during  his  successful  labors  here,  the  enterprise 
was  projected  for  organizing  an  additional  church  in  the 
western  portion  of  the  city,  and  chiefly  through  his  efforts, 
and  under  his  supervision,  the  Ceorge  Street  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  was  erected.  The  new  charge  was  first 
recognized  as  a  mission  church,  and  thereto  Brother  Dalbey 
was  appointed  by  the  Conference,  for  three  successive 
years,  namely:  1847,  1848  and  ^849,  at  the  end  of  which 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


383 


period  he  left  it,  in  a  pretty  good  state  of  organization. 
During  the  five  years  Brother  Dalbey  resided  in  Cincinnati, 
he  completed  a  course  of  medical  studies,  and  was  hand- 
somely graduated  in  one  of  the  medical  colleges  of  that 
city.  Upon  his  retiring  from  George  Street  Station,  the 
Quarterly  Conference  certified  to  his  faithfulness  and  unex- 
ceptionable character,  and  commended  him  as  an  able  and 
efficient  ambassador  for  Christ. 

In  1850  he  was  appointed  to  Lebanon  Station,  but  in 
the  ensuing  spring  of  185 1  he  obtained  a  release,  and  emi- 
grated to  the  West,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  St.  Charles 
County,  Missouri,  nearly  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois 
River.  He,  however,  had  no  intention  to  relinquish  the 
ministerial  work,  but  to  secure  a  permanent  family  home  in 
a  central  portion  of  the  great  West.  As  a  consequence, 
however,  he  found  himself  so  entangled  by  his  property 
relation,  as  to  be  sadly  impeded  in  the  work  of  his  holy 
calling.  For  years  he  sought  to  dispose  of  his  property, 
that  he  might  again  devote  himself  fully  to  the  ministry. 
And  it  was  a  source  of  grief  to  him,  almost  to  the  day  of 
his  death,  that  he  did  not  succeed  in  securing  the  desired 
release.  Alluding  to  this  matter  in  one  of  his  letters  to  his 
brother,  Reuben  M.  Dalbey,  he  wrote:  "AVhat  a  warning 
I  could  give  to  young  men  in  the  ministry  against  involving 
themselves  in  the  cares  of  the  world.  I  have  often  regretted 
that  I  have  one  acre  of  land,  or  any  means  for  my  children 
to  anticipate.  They  would  be  infinitely  better  off  to  be  as 
we  were,  thrown  upon  our  own  resources.  I  have  now  lost 
nearly  four  years  of  labor  for  the  church,  to  take  care  of 
my  farm,  so  as  to  have  something  for  myself,  wife  and  chil- 
dren. And  what  does  it  all  amount  to  ?  I  shall  soon  have 
no  more  use  for  land,  nor  for  dollars  nor  cents.  I  feel  that 
I  have  already  suffered  great  loss,  and  what  lies  in  the  future 
I  can  not  tell."  In  1854  he  entered  the  Illinois  Conference 
(his  most  contiguous  conference),  and  was  stationed  at 


384 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Quincy,  Illinois.  Here  his  labors  were  blessed,  and  he  had 
large  ingatherings  into  the  church.  In  1855  he  was  elected 
President  of  the  Conference,  and  traveled  throughout  the 
Illinois  District.  In  1856  he  was  re-elected  to  the  same 
office  and  work,  and  fulfilled  the  same.  During  the  two 
succeeding  years,  by  appointment,  he  served  the  Illinois 
Circuit. 

Upon  his  retiring  from  the  Illinois  Conference,  in  1859, 
that  body  voted  a  certificate,  that  during  the  five  years  of 
his  connection  therewith  he  had  acquitted  himself  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  his  brethren — that  he  enjoyed  the 
utmost  Christian  confidence  of  all. 

In  1S60  he  was  pressed  to  take  charge  of  the  church  in 
Iowa  City,  which  induced  his  entering  the  North  Iowa  Con- 
ference, from  which  body  he  received  the  appointment  to 
that  charge.  In  1863  he  was  elected  President  of  North 
Iowa  Conference,  and  in  1864  re-elected  to  the  same  im- 
portant and  arduous  position.  This  seems  to  have  been  his 
last  regular  service  in  the  employ  of  the  Conference. 

During  the  summer  of  1869,  after  Brother  Dalbey  had 
entered  his  sixtieth  year,  he  expressed  himself  as  enjoying 
fine  health,  and  he  intimated  a  desire  and  purpose  to  revisit 
the  scenes  of  his  former  iabors,  in  Ohio  and  elsewhere. 
But  how  illusive  are  human  prospects!  In  the  latter  part 
of  August,  he  was  seized  with  chills,  induced  by  sudden 
check  of  perspiration.  The  attacks  recurred,  and  ulti- 
mately proved  uncontrollable,  resulting  in  pneumonia,  his 
last  and  mortal  disease.  He  died  suddenly  on  November 
2  2d,  1869.  On  that  day,  with  the  aid  of  an  attorney,  he 
made  satisfactory  disposition  of  his  business,  after  which, 
in  a  little  time,  he  resigned  himself  in  perfect  composure 
to  his  final  change.  Several  letters  from  the  surviving 
family,  received  by  his  brother,  Reuben  M.  Dalbey,  give 
the  most  satisfactory  testimony  that  his  end  was  peace.  The 
widow  is  the  subject  of  affliction,  and  is  prevented  by  an 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


385 


ophthalmic  disability  from  writing.  But  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Franklin,  gives  the  following  account:  "Never  could  there 
be  found  a  more  kind  husband  or  father.  We  feel  that  his 
loss  is  irreparable.  Mother  is  almost  broken-hearted,  as 
you  might  suppose,  since  being  blessed  with  so  kind  a  com- 
panion for  so  many  years,  she  is  suddenly  bereft  of  him, 
when  in  affliction  and  declining  years.  He  was  but  my 
step- father,  yet  we  loved  him  as  dearly  as  we  could  an  own 
father.  We  could  but  love  him,  for  he  knew  nothing  but 
kindness.  On  Sabbath  morning  he  thought  himself  better, 
and  would  quote  Scripture  and  repeat  hymns,  such  as  'God 
forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,'  'Sweet  rivers  of  redeeming  love,  lie  just  before 
mine  eyes,'  etc.  On  Sabbath  night  his  breathing  became 
short  and  labored,  so  that  he  had  but  little  rest.  Mother 
asked  him  if  he  was  suffering  much.  He  answered,  'Yes. 
but  have  great  peace  of  mind.'  A  few  moments  before  the 
last,  he  called  to  mother  to  come  and  see  the  joy.  He  said, 
'This  is  a  beautiful  day.  My  dear,  there  are  many  stars  in 
my  crown  of  rejoicing.  My  sheaves  are  gathering  around 
me.  The  joy!  the  joy!!'  After  this  happy  utterance  he 
turned  over,  closed  his  mouth,  folded  his  arms,  and  all 
thought  he  was  going  to  take  a  good  sleep.  But  they  soon 
discovered  that  it  was  the  sleep  of  death.  He  was  calm, 
and  looked  most  happy,  just  as  he  was  breathing  his  last.  " 


z 


REV.  CHARLES  AVERY. 


CHARLES  AVERY  was  a  native  of  West  Chester 
County,  New  York,  born  December  10,  1784.  Lack- 
ing educational  advantages,  while  a  youth,  he  obtained  a 
situation  in  New  York  to  learn  the  business  of  a  druggist. 
Here  he  applied  himself  to  useful  reading,  and  availed 
himself  of  night-schools.  He  experienced  conversion  in 
early  life,  and  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Feeling  himself  called  to  the  ministry,  it  is  said  that  he  for 
some  time  hesitated  whether  to  enter  the  regular  itinerant 
work,  or  serve  in  the  capacity  of  a  local  minister.  The 
latter  course  was  decided  upon.  And  during  a  long  career, 
in  a  local  capacity,  while  belonging  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  in  the  unstationed  relation  in  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church,  he  was  every-where  respected  and 
esteemed  as  an  able  and  useful  minister  of  Christ.  And 
though  for  many  years  pursuing  prosperous  business,  of 
course  involving  extensive  cares,  he  neglected  not  the  gift 
that  was  in  him. 

About  1812,  he  emigrated  to  Pittsburgh,  and  commenced 
business  as  a  druggist.  He,  however,  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  his  first  cargo  of  drugs,  by  a  vessel  that  went  out 
from  New  York,  and  was  lost.  But  he  was  prospered  in 
his  undertaking,  and  recovered  from  his  losses.  He  next 
made  investments  in  cotton  factories,  in  which  also  he  was 
eminently  successful.    Then  he  was  fortunate  in  taking 

386 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


3S7 


special  interest  in  the  copper  mines  of  Lake  Superior.  He 
was  one  of  a  company  that  sunk  the  first  shaft  for  copper 
in  the  North-west,  and  opened  out  a  business  which  resulted 
in  great  emolument.  Successful  in  his  enterprises,  he  be- 
came very  wealthy.  But  he  evidently  kept  in  mind  the 
injunction:  "If  riches  increase,  set  not  your  heart  upon 
them."  It  is  not  wrong  to  be  rich,  when  wealth  is  honestly 
acquired;  for  Abraham  and  Job  enjoyed  the  favor  of  God. 
Mr.  Avery  was  for  many  years  a  living,  practical  demon 
stration  of  the  fact  that  the  acquisition  of  wealth  does  not 
necessarily  involve  the  spirit  of  worldly-mindedness,  or  the 
love  of  money,  which  is  the  root  of  all  evil.  This  doubtless 
happens  to  many.  But  Charles  Avery  evidently  observed 
the  apostolic  injunction:  "Charge  them  that  are  rich  in 
this  world,  that  they  be  not  high-minded,  nor  trust  in  un- 
certain riches,  but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  us  richly 
all  things  to  enjoy;  that  they  do  good,  that  they  be  rich  in 
good  works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  communicate; 
laying  up  in  store  for  themselves  a  good  foundation  against 
the  time  to  come,  that  they  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 
The  very  phraseology  of  the  apostle  is  adapted  to  the  case. 
And  it  is  believed  that  Charles  Avery  carried  out  this  apos- 
tolic programme,  to  the  letter,  and  that  he  inherits  the  full 
reward.  More  than  this,  during  his  life,  he  enjoyed  the 
luxury  of  doing  good,  realizing  the  words  of  Jesus,  when 
he  said,  "It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."  And 
at  his  death  he  bequeathed  munificent  sums  to  charitable 
and  religious  associations. 

Charles  Avery  was  early  a  Methodist  Reformer.  He 
was  elected  a  representative  to  the  first  three  General  Con- 
ventions of  Reformers,  and  the  first  four  Conferences  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  was  present  at  four 
out  of  the  seven  assemblages.  He  attended  the  Conven- 
tion of  1828,  where  the  Conventional  Articles  were  adopted, 
and  the  Convention  of  1830,  where  the  Constitution  and 


388 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Discipline  were  formed,  and  took  active  part  in  the  import- 
ant legislation  of  the  day.  His  voice  and  counsels  there 
were  valuable  and  were  appreciated. 

He  was  identified  with  the  Union  Society  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Pittsburgh,  before  the  separa- 
tion, and  then  with  the  original  organization,  in  Smithfield 
street,  which  became  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  of 
Pittsburgh.  He  was  recognized  as  a  member  of  the  Ohio 
Conference,  at  its  first  session  in  1829,  and  for  four  or  five 
successive  sessions.  The  writer  distinctly  remembers  that 
Charles  Avery  served  as  Conference  Steward,  at  the  ses- 
sion, at  Zanesville,  in  1831,  and  he  was  the  first  in  that 
Conference  to  serve  in  that  relation,  after  the  office  was 
created. 

Though  an  active  business  man,  and  occupying  but  a 
local  relation  in  the  ministry,  Mr.  Avery  did  much  effective 
service  in  the  gospel.  Evidence  is  not  wanting  that  so  long 
ago  as  when  he  held  standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  he  used  to  travel  considerable  distances  on  horse- 
back to  keep  up  appointments,  and  aid  in  organizing 
churches,  some  of  which  have  proved  permanent  and  pros- 
perous to  this  day.  It  is  in  the  recollection  of  the  writer, 
that  at  an  early  day,  while  having  the  relation  of  an  unsta- 
tioned  minister  in  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  he 
used  to  fill  regular  appointments  on  Sabbaths  at  points  to 
be  reached  from  his  home,  on  horseback.  During  the  year 
1832-33,  when  the  writer  had  charge  of  what  was  then 
called  Pittsburgh  Circuit,  he  was  favored  with  the  co-opera- 
tion of  Brother  Avery  in  his  work,  and  his  aid  on  sacra- 
mental occasions.  And  being  also  welcomed  to  a  home  at 
his  house,  he  was  often  edified  by  his  sympathy  and  coun- 
sels in  his  work. 

Mr.  Avery  enjoyed  well  the  exercises  of  class-meciings, 
love-feasts  and  camp-meetings,  and  he  slighted  no  oppor- 
tunity of  attending  and  participating  in  them.    He  was 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


3S9 


given  to  hospitality,  and  in  his  ample  home  there  was 
always  an  honored  place,  known  as  the  preacher's  room. 

But  the  leading  specialty  of  Charles  Avery  was  his  be- 
nevolence and  liberality.  He  was,  in  fact,  the  founder  of 
the  First  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  Allegheny  City, 
where  was  his  home.  He  also  aided  largely  in  the  building 
of  various  other  churches  in  Pittsburgh,  and  in  several 
towns,  some  of  which  would  not  have  been  built  but  for 
his  liberal  assistance.  Then  the  endowment  of  the  Preach- 
eas'  Aid  Society  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church  with  what  is  called  the  Avery 
Fund,  is  a  noble  monument  to  the  munificence  of  its 
founder.  The  amount  was  $20,000,  but  it  has  increased  to 
about  $25,000.  A  distribution  of  over  $3,000  is  usually 
made  each  year,  to  superannuated  ministers,  and  the  widows 
and  orphans  of  such  as  have  deceased. 

Mr.  Avery  also  made  liberal  donations  to  various  insti- 
tutions; as,  hospitals,  missionary  associations,  colleges, 
churches,  etc.  But  one  special  enterprise,  upon  which  he 
bestowed  much  thought,  and  care,  and  means,  was  the  found- 
ing of  a  collegiate  institution  for  the  benefit  of  people  of 
color.  He  erected  for  this  purpose,  upon  his  own  grounds, 
an  ample  college  building,  at  his  own  expense.  He  had 
established  a  preparatory  school,  and  purposed  that  the 
institution,  with  ample  endowment,  should  furnish  a  full 
college  course,  for  persons  of  color.  But  before  his  pro- 
jected plans  went  into  full  operation,  he  was  removed  by 
death,  on  January  17th,  1858.  He,  however,  bequeathed 
great  amounts  for  the  benefit  of  the  colored  race,  in  various 
ways. 

When,  many  years  ago,  the  Amistad  captives  from  the 
coast  of  Africa,  were  providentially  brought  to  our  shores, 
and  were  liberated  by  our  government,  or  rather  by  the 
law  of  nations,  as  victims  of  piracy,  the  sympathies  of  Mr. 
Avery  were  greatly  enlisted  in  behalf  of  those  hapless  ob- 


390 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


jects  of  humanity.  And  when  they  were  to  be  returned  to 
their  native  land,  he  was  a  leading  one  in  meeting  the  ex- 
penses of  establishing  the  Mendi  Mission,  for  the  Chris- 
tianization  of  their  tribes.  Meanwhile,  he  had  taken  in 
charge  one  of  the  captives,  a  girl,  who,  becoming  con- 
verted, had  a  solicitude  for  the  conversion  of  her  people. 
As  she  proved  a  person  of  capabilities,  Mr.  Avery  had  her 
educated  at  Oberlin  College.  She  there  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  an  African  gentleman,  who  was  also  a  convert,  and 
of  like  missionary  impulses  towards  his  native  land.  These 
twain  were  ultimately  married,  and  were  sent  out  by  a  Mis- 
sionary Association,  to  the  Mendi  Mission,  at  the  expense 
of  Mr.  Avery,  who  subsequently  provided  for  their  sup- 
port, as  missionaries,  while  he  lived.  He  also  did  largely 
in  maintainance  of  the  mission,  to  the  end  of  his  life.  The 
scene,  of  Mr.  Avery  sending  out  these  missionaries  to 
Africa,  is  beautifully  represented  in  sculpture  on  his  monu- 
ment. 

The  following  paragraphs  are  taken  from  an  article  in 
the  Pittsburgh  People's  Monthly,  for  July,  187  i : 

"Mr.  Avery's  wealth  was  all  amassed  in  an  honorable 
and  legitimate  manner.  Speculation  was  not  to  his  taste, 
and  greedy  self-seeking  speculators  he  abhorred.  He  never 
lost  sight  of  his  conscience,  the  'golden  rule,'  or  the  God 
whom  he  professed  to  serve.  He  carried  his  religion  with 
him  in  all  his  business  transactions,  and  was  always  pru- 
dent, deliberate  and  far-seeing,  never  in  debt,  or  over-bur- 
dened with  business  complications  and  cares,  and  hence 
ever  esteemed  a  happy,  genial  and  sociable  business  man. 

"His  benevolence  was  as  much  a  part  of  his  daily  life 
as  was  his  religion.  Large-hearted  and  unostentatious,  it 
was  his  regular  habit  from  his  very  youth,  a  part  of  the 
structure  of  his  nature,  but  rendered  more  a  matter  of  con- 
scientious obligation  in  him  by  his  self-consecration  to  his 
Maker.    In  strict  conformity  with  his  favorite  Bible  texts, 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


301 


he  commenced  this  part  of  his  life  by  giving  away  the  first 
five  dollars  he  ever  made  in  our  city  to  some  poor  people 
for  building  a  church.  This  was  his  'first-fruits  offering.' 
and  deeming  himself  ever  after  as  but  a  steward  for  God, 
he  dedicated  his  means  to  benevolent  purposes. 

"He  was  a  large  and  constant  giver  to  the  poor,  not 
letting  his  right  hand  know  what  his  left  hand  did,  and  this, 
too,  without  regard  to  complexion,  nationality,  or  denomi- 
nation. He  was  also  frequent  in  his  generous  assistance  to 
poor  young  men  of  good  character,  to  local  and  itinerant 
preachers  and  teachers,  and  to  literary  institutions. 

"Towards  the  end  of  his  life,  Mr.  Avery's  benevolence 
intensified,  and,  as  it  were,  crystalized,  in  one  direction. 
In  Bible  doctrines,  he  had  taken  the  side  of  free  grace  for 
all  mankind.  In  church  government,  he  advocated  the 
rights  of  the  laity ;  and  on  the  slave  question,  he  took  the 
side  of  the  down-trodden,  and  became  thoroughly  anti- 
slavery.  His  large-hearted ness  needed  a  special  object  to 
spend  itself  upon,  and  he  espoused  the  cause  of  the  op- 
pressed and  friendless  negro.  He  observed  them  poor, 
ignorant,  degraded  and  socially  ostracised,  and  these  were 
motives  enough  to  call  forth  his  most  heartfelt  sympathies, 
and  earnest,  helpful  efforts.  After  much  forethought,  and 
earnest  prayer  to  God  for  success,  he  committed  himself  to 
the  work  he  had  on  hand.  Living  on  the  borders  of  a  slave 
State,  he  not  only  had  opportunity  of  observing  the  con- 
dition of  the  slave,  but  of  assisting  fugitives  from  bondage. 

"He  was  ever  most  liberal  to  the  colored  people  of  this 
section.  Recognizing  them  as  men,  he  invited  them  to  his 
house  and  table,  and  visited  theirs,  at  a  time,  too,  when  it 
required  moral  courage  to  do  so.  He  was  never  ashamed 
either  of  his  religion  or  his  brethren,  without  regard  to 
color,  but  recognized  the  colored  man  not  only  his  equal  in 
right,  but  in  capacity,  though  not  in  opportunity,  and  it  was 
long  his  desire  to  test  this  conviction  by  actual  experiment- 


302 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"Mr.  Avery  died  as  he  lived,  full  of  trust  in  God,  and 
love  to  his  fellow-man.  A  few  days  before  his  end,  the 
sacrament  was  administered  to  him,  and  at  his  last  hours 
his  heart  was  fixed,  and  his  face  beamed  with  joy  and  con- 
fidence. His  remains  were  kept  for  several  days,  and  the 
respect  that  was  paid  to  them  by  all  classes,  abundantly 
manifested  the  strong  hold  he  had  upon  the  affections  of  the 
whole  community.  All  classes  came  in  crowds,  the  rich, 
the  poor,  the  white,  and  the  black. 

"His  executors  have  very  properly  caused  to  be  erected, 
over  his  mortal  remains,  in  Allegheny  Cemetery,  one  of  the 
most  beautiful,  elaborate  and  appropriate  monuments  ever 
erected  in  this  country,  or  in  the  world." 


REV.  ZECHARIAH  RAGAN. 


ZECHARIAH  RAGAN  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
County,  Pa.,  born  February  226,  1804,  and  departed 
this  life  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  November  27th,  1875,  thus 
having  nearly  completed  his  seventy-second  year.  Con- 
verted at  the  age  of  eighteen  or  nineteen,  under  the  labors 
of  the  late  Rev.  W.  Swayze,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  he  was  the  means  of  leading  to  Christ  an  older 
brother  (Joab  W.),  who  also  became  an  able  minister,  and 
who  long  since  went  from  labor  to  reward.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  on  his  birthday,  February  226,  1825,  Zecha- 
riah  Ragan  received  license  to  preach,  and  was  at  once  em- 
ployed by  Presiding  Elder  Charles  Elliott,  to  serve  on 
Grand  River  Circuit,  in  Northern  Ohio.  In  September 
following,  at  the  very  first  session  of  the  Pittsburgh  Confer- 
ence, Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  at  the  city  of  Pitts- 
burgh, he  was  received  into  the  itinerancy,  and  regularly 
employed.  Asa  Shinn  and  George  Brown  were  at  that 
time  presiding  elders  in  that  Conference,  and  Henry  B. 
Bascom  Conference  Missionary.  These  eminent  men  were 
at  that  time  prominent  writers  in  the  controversy  of  Meth- 
odist Reform,  and  it  is  said  that  a  large  proportion  of  its 
ministers  were  of  kindred  sentiments.  At  the  Conference 
of  1827,  at  Steubenville,  Brother  Ragan  was  ordained  a 
deacon  by  Bishop  George.  He  served  regularly  three 
years,  under  the  direction  of  that  Conference,  and  in  1828, 

393 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


on  account  of  declining  health,  he  located,  in  good 
standing. 

Meanwhile,  when  the  Reform  movement  began  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Brother  Ragan  identified 
himself  therewith.  And  when  it  was  determined  to  organ- 
ize an  Annual  Conference  for  the  West,  he  decided  to  at- 
tend its  session,  and  enter  its  service.  Pie  set  out  for  Cin- 
cinnati, by  steamer,  on  the  Ohio  River,  the  then  usual  mode 
of  travel,  to  attend  the  first  session,  held  in  October,  1829; 
but  being  detained  by  low  water,  he  did  not  reach  the  city 
till  the  day  after  adjournment  of  the  Conference.  Hence 
he  was  not  enrolled  until  the  second  session,  in  1830.  But 
Brother  Shinn,  the  President,  engaged  him  to  serve  for  a 
time  in  Cincinnati,  and  subsequently  to  form  Louisville 
Circuit,  in  Kentucky,  which  he  did,  and  served  the  same 
the  balance  of  the  year.  At  the  Conference  of  1830,  he 
was  appointed  to  Pittsburgh  Station,  with  George  Brown, 
where  his  labors  were  well  received  and  successful. 

At  the  Conference  of  1831,  Brother  Ragan  was  placed 
in  charge  of  Charlestown  Circuit,  Ind.,  which  at  the  time 
was  frontier  work.  It  was  an  extensive  and  laborious  four 
weeks'  circuit,  extending  into  five  counties.  The  writer 
had  the  honor  to  be  associated  with  him  as  his  assistant 
during  that  year.  We  traveled  on  horseback,  and  sported 
the  inevitable  saddle-bags  and  leggins,  then  in  universal  use 
by  itinerants.  Our  appointments  were  from  five  to  twenty 
miles  apart,  and  all  our  roads  were  innocent  of  McAdams' 
improvement.  We  preached  in  log  cabins,  in  school- 
houses,  and  in  groves,  for  want  of  houses  of  worship,  and 
at  two  towns  we  were  permitted  to  occupy  Presbyterian 
churches.  The  labors  of  Brother  Ragan  were  every  where 
appreciated,  and  quite  effective.  During  the  year,  we  held 
a  successful  camp-meeting. 

During  this  year,  the  writer  found,  ample  cause  to  be 
impressed  with  Brother  Ragan's  happy  way  of  adapting 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


395 


himself  to  circumstances,  his  surpassing  unselfishness,  and 
the  kindly  manner  in  which  he  sympathized  with  his  junior 
associate,  and  encouraged  and  sustained  him  in  his  incip- 
ient labors.  In  the  final  settlement  by  the  stewards  of  the 
circuit,  for  the  year's  services,  each  received  the  full  sum 
of  forty-eight  dollars,  all  told.  The  junior  insisted  that 
Brother  Ragan  should  receive  the  larger  portion,  but  he 
persistently  refused.  And  yet  he  never  uttered  a  word  of 
complaint  of  poor  support,  though  he  had  just  come  from 
a  city  station,  where  he  was  doubtless  well  sustained.  He 
had  learned — and  he  knew  "both  how  to  be  abased  and  how 
to  abound,  to  be  full  and  to  be  hungry."  He  seemed  as 
cheerfully  at  home  when  entertained  at  the  humble  cabin 

Brother  E.  P  ,  partaking  of  the  early  settler's  plain  fare, 

and  lodging  in  the  one  common  apartment,  with  the  whole 
household,  as  when  accommodated  at  the  more  commodi- 
ous home  of  ex-Governor  Jennings,  of  Indiana,*  or  of 
Colonel  Ford,  of  the  Black  Hawk  Expedition,  both  of 
whom  resided  in  or  near  Charlestown.  During  this  year, 
Brother  Joab  W.  Ragan  was  stationed  in  Louisville,  Ky., 
and  as  our  circuit  was  opposite,  on  the  Indiana  side  of  the 
Ohio,  its  pastor  made  occasional  visits  to  his  brother  in  the 
city.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  it  being  in  winter,  the 
river  became  frozen  over,  so  that  persons  and  teams  freely 
crossed  upon  the  ice.  A  blustering  fellow  undertook  to 
demand  toll  of  persons  crossing,  and  many  were  terrified 
into  compliance.  Our  friend  Zechariah  Ragan,  upon  re- 
turning from  the  city  to  the  Indiana  side,  met  this  ruffian  in 
the  middle  of  the  river.  Considering  his  demand  for 
twenty-five  cents  an  imposition,  and  that  it  was  not  his  duty 
to  pay  him,  he  refused.    He  was  then  assailed  with  at- 

*This  gentlemen  was  a  brother  of  Dr.  Jennings,  of  Baltimore, 
and  was  conversant  with  the  circumstances  of  his  trial,  defense  and 
expulsion.  He  was  a  pioneer  settler  in  Indiana,  and  took  promi- 
nent part  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  new  State. 


:v.)6 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


tempted  blows  ;  but  being  a  very  muscular  and  very  fear- 
less man,  he  repelled  the  attack,  simply  leaving  his  antag- 
onist to  gather  himself  up  from  a  prostrate  position  on  the 
ice,  while  he  proceeded  on  his  way,  saluted,  however,  by 
the  applause  of  spectators  upon  either  shore,  that  P —  S — 
had  received  at  last  a  deserved  flogging,  and  by  a  Method- 
ist preacher,  at  that.  This  incident  tended  to  increase  his 
congregations,  and  awed  into  good  behavior  the  roughs 
who  came  out  to  hear  him  at  his  meetings  along  the  river. 

By  the  Conference  of  1832,  Brother  Ragan  was  sta- 
tioned at  Wheeling,  Va.,  where  we  then  had  a  respectable 
church  organization.  During  the  year,  over  seventy  ac- 
cessions were  received.  On  his  birthday,  February  2  2d, 
1833,  he  was  married,  in  Waynesburg,  Pa.,  to  Miss  Martha 
Buchanan,  daughter  of  an  honorable  member  of  Congress. 

During  the  same  year,  the  writer  had  the  care  of  a 
neighboring  charge,  Pittsburgh  Circuit,  and  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  interchanging  with  Brother  Ragan  in  attending  each 
other's  Quarterly  Meetings. 

In  the  division  of  the  Conference,  1833,  Brother  Ragan 
remained  in  the  Pittsburgh  District,  and  that  year  served 
Middletown  Circuit,  in  West  Virginia,  an  extensive  field 
of  over  three  hundred  miles.  In  1834  and  1835,  he  served 
Monongahela  Circuit.  In  1836,  he  was  appointed  to  Co- 
shocton Circuit,  in  connection  with  John  Wilson.  In  1837, 
Mount  Pleasant  Circuit.  In  1838,  and  again  in  1840,  he 
was  elected  President  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  and 
traveled  through  the  large  district,  then  including  West 
Pennsylvania,  West  Virginia  and  East  Ohio.  In  1839,  he 
served  New  Lisbon  Station.  In  1841,  he  was  stationed  in 
Steubenville,  Ohio,  and  thereafter  mostly  had  his  perma- 
nent residence  at  that  place. 

In  the  division  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference,  1842, 
Brother  Ragan  remained  in  the  Muskingum  District,  and 
that  year  served  Mount  Pleasant  Circuit,  in  connection 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


397 


with  Jacob  Nichols.  In  1844,  and  again  in  1845,  and 
again  in  1848,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Muskingum 
Conference,  and  traveled  through  the  district.  He  was  a 
very  judicious  and  dignified  administrator  and  presiding 
officer.  In  1846,  our  brother  was  appointed  to  Pleasant 
Hill  Circuit,  and  in  1847  was  stationed  at  Wellsville.  In 
1849,  he  was  appointed  to  Belmont  Circuit,  in  connection 
with  the  late  S.  W.  Laishley. 

We  have  but  limited  information  of  the  details  of  his 
gospel  labors  in  these  various  fields,  or  their  results  in  the 
conversion  of  souls,  and  the  advancement  of  Christ's  king- 
dom. We  believe  he  was  every-where  ustful;  while  his 
faithful  ministrations,  sacrificing  devotion  to  the  cause,  and 
his  kind,  dignified,  social  bearing  inspired  love  and  vener- 
ation in  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him  best.  The  day 
that  comelh  will  reveal  the  record  of  his  usefulness,  and 
the  stars  in  his  crown  of  rejoicing. 

In  1S50,  he  retired  from  regular  itinerant  labors,  and  for 
several  years  was  left  without  appointment,  at  his  own  re- 
quest. But  in  1856,  and  for  some  five  or  six  successive 
years,  he  was  assigned  to  Mount  Pleasant  Circuit,  associ- 
ated respectively  with  William  L.  Baldwin,  Lysander  May, 
and  Joel  S.  Thrap. 

In  January,  1855,  when  having  no  assigned  work  from 
the  Conference,  he  commenced  the  publication  of  a  weekly 
secular  paper,  in  Steubenville,  called  the  True  American. 
In  this  he  continued  until  in  July,  1861,  the  first  year  of 
the  late  civil  war,  when  he  was  commissioned  Chaplain  of 
the  Twenty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  went  with 
his  regiment  to  the  field  of  danger  and  of  valor  for  the 
cause  of  our  country.  In  December,  1863,  he  was,  by  act 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  made  Hospital  Chap- 
lain in  the  regular  army,  and  in  this  capacity  he  served 
chiefly  at  Memphis.  In  this  relation  he  continued  until  he 
asked  for  a  discharge,  after  the  war  was  closed.  This  was 
granted. 


398 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  Adrian  College,  and  for  some  time  served  in  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  Board.  He  ever  took  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  college. 

In  September,  1867,  having  taken  a  transfer  to  the 
Pittsburgh  Conference,  he  was  appointed  to  Connellsville, 
Pa.,  and  served  that  charge  during  the  Conference  year. 

He  then,  in  1868,  accepted  a  position  as  Chaplain  in  the 
regular  army,  and  was  assigned  to  Fort  Fred  Steel,  Wy- 
oming Territory,  where  he  continued  four  years,  enduring 
severe  exposure  and  many  discomforts.  In  1875,  he  was 
assigned  to  Fort  Russell,  a  more  comfortable  post,  near 
■Cheyenne  City.  To  this  post  he  still  held  his  relation  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  In  February,  1875,  having  had  a 
serious  illness,  he  obtained  a  certificate  of  disability,  and 
•came  home,  continuing  there  on  what  is  called  sick  leave. 
He  remained  very  feeble,  but  always  so  cheerful  and  buoy- 
ant of  spirit,  that  his  family  had  no  apprehension  of  serious 
issue.  But  during  the  fall,  feeling  himself  flattered  with  a 
decided  improvement  of  his  health,  he  was  making  every 
preparation  for  return  to  duly,  expecting  to  report  at  Fort 
Russell  the  first  of  January.  But  it  appears  that  Divine 
Providence  otherwise  ordered. 

From  a  very  touching  statement  of  the  closing  scene, 
furnished  by  Mrs.  Dr.  Zink,  a  surviving  daughter,  we 
gather  the  following  particulars :  On  Monday,  November 
2  2d,  1875,  returning  from  a  short  walk  with  Mrs.  Ragan, 
he  seemed  exhausted,  and  complained  of  a  difficulty  of 
respiration.  From  that  time  till  Thursday,  25th,  Thanks- 
giving day,  he  remained  in-doors,  although  altogether  lack- 
ing his  accustomed  vigor.  At  dinner  that  day,  observing 
that  the  hands  of  affection  had  taken  extra  pains  to  tempt 
his  appetite,  he  made  an  effort  to  enjoy  his  favorite  dishes, 
but  did  not  eat  heartily.  The  day  being  fine,  in  the  after- 
noon he  attempted  a  short  walk,  for  a  business  call,  intend- 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


399 


ing  soon  to  return.  On  his  way  homeward,  within  about 
an  hour,  he  was  seized  with  vert'go,  as  supposed,  found 
himself  reeling  from  side  to  side  of  the  pavement,  until, 
when  just  opposite  the  gate  of  his  home,  he  lost  strength 
and  sight  entirely,  was  precipitated  backwards  into  the 
street,  and  fell,  fortunately  into  a  bed  of  soft  clay.  Yet  he 
never  for  a  moment  lost  consciousness.  Persons  soon  ran 
to  his  assistance,  and  conveyed  him  into  the  house,  where 
he  was  laid  upon  a  lounge.  He  seemed  to  recover  imme- 
diately, talking  cheerfully,  even  while  his  hands  and  face 
were  deathly  white  and  cold.  Skillful  medical  aid  was  at 
once  summoned,  though  he  protested  that  he  was  perfectly 
comfortable.  He  slept  sweetly  that  night.  He  sat  up  an 
hour  or  two  on  Friday,  receiving  and  conversing  with  a 
score  or  more  of  friends,  no  one  suspecting  danger.  During 
Saturday,  27th,  which  was  his  last  day,  he  suffered  much 
pain.  The  physician  did  not  obtain  the  effects  he  desired 
from  the  medicines,  and  he  looked  very  grave ;  yet  he  did 
not  apprehend  immediate  danger.  Yet  the  spirits  of  the 
patient  were  unflagging,  and  his  freedom  of  speech  remark- 
able, as  he  saw  and  conversed  with  many  friends.  At  half- 
past  nine  hft  partook  of  some  nourishment,  with  apparent 
relish.  At  half-past  ten,  he  complained  of  nausea,  rose 
from  his  bed,  and  walked  across  the  room,  but  feeling 
worse,  he  attempted,  with  the  assistance  of  Mrs.  Ragan,  to 
return,  but  soon  sank  upon  the  floor,  utterly  powerless. 
Being  placed  upon  the  bed,  he  lay  for  a  little  time,  strug- 
gling with  mortal  throes.  Presently  he  turned  to  Dr.  Zink, 
his  son-in-law,  and  said:  "My  hours  are  numbered,  are 
they  not?"  Upon  his  replying,  "You  are  a  very  sick-aian, 
Doctor,"  he  looked  to  his  anxious  and  devoted  companion, 
and  said,  in  broken  utterances:  "It  is  all  right,  Martha,  all 
right!"  One  convulsion  shook  his  frame,  when  calmly 
folding  his  hands  upon  his  heart,  he  closed  his  eyes,  and 
calmly  sank  to  sleep.    We  quote  from  the  sketch  : 


400 


A   CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"There  was  no  spoken  farewell,  no  words  of  cheer, 
beyond  that  comprehensive  all  right!  At  a  quarter  past 
eleven,  the  spirit  passed;  and  the  Sabbath  morn,  so  full  of 
woe  to  us,  dawned  upon  his  freed  soul,  amid  the  glories  of 
the  celestial  city.  But  we  have  ample  evidences  of  his 
entire  preparation  for  that  hour.  Indeed,  his  life  was  suf- 
ficient testimony." 

A  letter  from  the  stricken  widow  touchingly  says  to  the 
writer:  "Had  you  seen  your  much  loved  friend  in  the  last 
months  of  his  life,  as  did  I,  you  would  have  said,  as  did  a 
visiting  friend,  'There  was  less  of  earth  than  of  heaven  about 
him.' " 

The  funeral  of  Dr.  Ragan  took  place  at  the  Fifth  Street 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Steubenville,  on  Wednesday, 
December  ist,  1875.  The  exercises  were  conducted  by  the 
pastor,  O.  V.  W.  Chandler,  in  a  tender  and  impressive 
manner.  All  the  clergymen  of  the  city  were  present,  also 
Edward  A.  Brindley,  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference.  The 
principal  address  was  delivered  by  the  venerable  Dr.  Beatty, 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  an  old  personal  friend  of  the 
departed.  His  remarks  were  eloquent,  and  very  touching, 
being  uttered  under  the  inspiration  of  deep  feeling.  The 
pall  bearers  were  men  of  his  own  church,  friends  long  tried 
and  true,  whose  silvery  hairs  bore  the  token  of  an  early 
reunion  in  the  church  above.  They  were  Brothers  Fickes, 
Peters,  Shouse,  Hawkins,  Chambers,  and  Abrams. 

President  McElroy,  of  Adrian  College,  in  a  private  let- 
ter, says  of  Dr.  Ragan:  "During  the  time  he  was  a  resident 
of  Adrian,  he  was,  as  a  member  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee, intimately  connected  with  all  the  proceedings  that 
resulted  in  the  transfer  of  the  college  to  the  Methodist 
(Protestant)  Church.  In  these  times  of  trouble  and  bitter 
controversy  he  ever  maintained  a  calm  and  equable  deport- 
ment, and  this  added  not  a  little  to  the  influence  he  exerted. 
His  very  dignified  and  striking  physique  secured  attention 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


401 


to  all  his  utterances,  while  his  cool  self-possession  gave 
them  weight." 

James  M.  Mayall,  of  North  Illinois  Conference,  testifies  : 

"Zechariah  Ragan  conferred  honor  upon  every  position 
he  occupied.  He  was  a  Christian.  His  earnest,  consist- 
ent piety  shed  golden  rays  on  all  his  deeds.  In  his  family, 
on  the  street,  in  the  church  and  pulpit,  as  chaplain  of  the 
army,  his  religion  was  with  him.  He  lived  for  God,  and 
for  immortality;  his  name,  therefore,  can  not  die." 

Edwin  P.  Johnson,  United  States  District  Attorney,  re- 
siding at  Cheyenne  City,  and  a  little  way  from  Fort  Rus- 
sell, bears  testimony  to  his  deportment  as  Army  Chaplain. 
He  says  of  Chaplain  Ragan: 

"Our  acquaintance  soon  ripened  into  a  very  pleasant 
friendship.  He  often  called,  and  we  visited  him  at  the 
fort.  He  was  a  perfect  gentleman  in  his  deportment,  dig- 
nified in  bearing  and  in  conversation,  never  excited,  or  off 
his  guard  for  a  moment.  He  used  to  speak  of  the  peculiar 
position  in  which  army  chaplains  were  placed,  and  what 
were  the  temptations  to  drift  with  the  current,  grow  negli- 
gent, and  allow  the  monotonous  routine  of  army  life  to 
proceed  as  it  seemed  to  desire,  without  being  interrupted  by 
religious  services. 

"He  had  determined,  however,  that  the  duties  of  chap- 
lain should  be  fulfilled  in  the  garrison  where  he  was  sta- 
tioned, and  he  accordingly  held  religious  services  regu- 
larly. He  desired  that  the  religion  which  he  preached  and 
practiced  should  influence  the  lives  of  men — should  be  a 
heart  and  soul  religion.  He  did  his  duty,  as  it  was  given 
him  to  see  it,  whatever  might  be  the  results.  He  did  what- 
ever he  found  to  do,  and  never  knew  here  what  it  was  to 
shirk  responsibility ;  while  his  dignified  and  noble  bearing 
paved  the  way  before  him  for  the  successful  prosecution  of 
his  enterprise.  He  was  earnest  in  his  work  and  was  ex- 
emplary in  his  military  life."     t  A 


402 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


At  the  session  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  held  in 
1872,  a  memorial  service  was  held  on  the  death  of  George 
Brown.  On  that  occasion,  a  very  touching  and  beautiful 
address  was  made  by  Brother  Ragan.  After  paying  due 
tribute  to  the  character  and  history  of  Dr.  Brown,  the 
speaker  said : 

"I  am  in  the  army  yet— my  post  of  duty  is  far  in  the 
West — but  my  release  is  coming.  'I  would  not  live  alway.' 
The  honors  of  immortality  are  worth  warring  and  waiting 
for.  I  am  willing  to  war  a  while;  but  I  desire  the  victory. 
The  feelings  of  a  soldier  on  the  march  and  in  the  battle  are 
quite  different  from  those  by  which  he  enters  the  possession 
after  the  conflict  is  over.  He  has  conquered.  The  enemy 
has  fled.  The  reward  is  at  hand.  The  home-going  and 
the  glory  are  unspeakable,  and  full  of  joy  and  peace.  I 
may  fail  of  heaven.  I  may  yet  become  dismayed  in  the 
strife.  But  I  trust  in  God.  I  believe  if  I  were  now  to  die, 
I  would  get  home  safe  to  heaven.  [Yes!]  But  the  tri- 
umph is  yet  to  attain.  Pray  for  me.  I  desire  a  rest  and  a 
home  with  Brown.  He  is  with  the  blood-washed,  happy 
forever.  He  is  with  Moses  and  the  Lamb — with  Abraham, 
Isaac  and  Jacob — with  Isaiah  and  John  and  Paul.  His 
immediate  associates  around  the  throne  are  Luther  and 
Melancthon,  Wesley  and  Whitfield,  Shinn  and  Snethen, 
Stockton  and  Reeves.  Also,  the  Reeses,  Williams,  Dob- 
bins and  Lucas,  Avery,  Dalbey,  Flood,  McGuire,  Elliott, 
and  all  the  redeemed  and  exalted  saints  in  light.  What  a 
conference  in  heaven !  Happier  and  higher  than  ours. 
By  and  by,  in  the  Paradise  of  God,  we  shall  rejoin  our 
brethren  who  have  before  us  entered  the  gates  into  the 
city." 


REV.  JAMES  MONTGOMERY. 


JAMES  MONTGOMERY  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Methodist  Reform  in  Northern  Ohio.  But  he  was 
called  away  by  death,  from  his  early  labors,  on  June  ist, 
1830.  The  Minutes  of  the  ensuing  Conference,  held  at 
Cincinnati,  September  2d,  have  this  simple  entry  of  him  : 
"James  Montgomery,  a  useful  minister  and  highly  esteemed 
among  us,  died  within  the  last  year,  in  full  assurance  of  a 
happy  immortality."  As  no  further  record  was  ever  made 
of  him  in  the  publications  of  the  church,  we  give  place  to 
the  following  sketch  of  him,  furnished  us  by  brother  John 
Souder,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  which  will  be  found  of  great 
interest. 

He  was  born  in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  November 
20th,  1776.  His  father  died  in  the  service,  during  the 
Revolutionary  war,  within  a  year  or  two  after  the  birth  of 
this  son.  At  seventeen  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  where 
he  afterwards  married.  In  the  year  1S0S,  he  removed  to 
Champaign  County,  Ohio,  where  he  continued  to  reside 
until  November,  1819.  Having  received  from  the  govern- 
ment the  appointment  of  Sub- Agent  for  the  Seneca  In- 
dians, who  had  their  reservation  on  the  Sandusky  River,  he 
now  removed  with  his  family,  consisting  of  wife  and  eight 
children,  to  Fort  Seneca.  Here  he  took  up  his  residence 
in  General  Harrison's  old  Biock  House.  This  is  where 
General  Harrison's  army  was  stationed,  at  the  time  of 

403 


404 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Major  Craugharrs  great  victory  over  the  British  at  Fort 
Stevenson  (Lower  Sandusky,  now  Fremont).  Seneca 
County  was  not  organized  at  the  time  of  his  removal  to  the 
Fort.  It  is  remarkable  that  during  his  entire  career,  first  in 
West  Pennsylvania,  then  in  Kentucky,  next  in  Champaign 
County,  Ohio,  and  finally  in  Seneca  County,  he  was  a  pio- 
neer, familiar  with  Indians  and  Indian  life. 

Converted  in  early  life,  he  commenced  preaching,  as  a 
iocal  preacher  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  about 
the  year  1800.  The  first  thing  worthy  of  note  in  his  min- 
istry was  his  visit  to  the  Wyandot  Indians,  under  the  fol- 
lowing circumstances :  You  are  aware  that  the  Wyandots 
first  received  the  gospel  through  a  colored  man  named 
Joseph  Stewart.  The  authorities  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  this  fact,  it  was 
resolved  to  call  for  three  volunteers,  who  should  visit  the 
Wyandots  by  turns,  until  the  sitting  of  a  certain  Confer- 
ence. James  Montgomery  was  promptly  a  volunteer,  and 
went  first  in  fulfillment  of  the  arrangement,  and  it  is  said  he 
was  the  only  one  of  the  three  who  went.  Hence  it  may 
be  said  that  he  was  the  first  white  Protestant  preacher  who 
preached  to  them.  He  had  to  ride  sixty  or  more  miles 
from  his  home  in  Champaign  County,  to  reach  them. 
Forty  miles  of  the  way  was  a  wilderness,  without  inhab- 
itant. This  was  in  the  summer  of  1819.  In  the  fall  of  same 
year  he  removed  to  the  Sandusky  country,  and  as  soon  as 
practicable  commenced  preaching  to  the  white  settlers  who 
were  in  the  country  at  the  time.  So,  it  may  be  said,  he  did 
the  first  Methodist  preaching,  if  not  the  first  preaching  at 
all,  in  the  Sandusky  country,  north  of  the  Wyandots.  He 
continued  to  labor  as  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  until  August,  1828,  when,  having  become  inter- 
ested in  the  principles,  and  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  Meth- 
odist Reform,  he  fully  decided  to  commit  himself  to  the 
cause.    Through  the  influence  of  a  letter  received  from 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHLTCH. 


405 


James  Towler,  of  Xenia,  Ohio,  he  determined  to  unite 
with  the  Reformers,  and  organize  under  the  Conven- 
tional Articles.  He  at  once  applied  to  his  presiding  elder, 
Russell  Bigelow,  for  a  certificate  of  his  standing  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  commenced  preaching  in 
the  new  relation.  It  was  not,  however,  until  in  March. 
1829,  that  he  organized  a  society  of  sixteen  members, 
under  the  Conventional  Articles,  at  his  house.  Fort  Seneca. 
During  his  life-time  he  was  all  in  all  to  this  little  band.  He 
continued  to  preach  with  the  greatest  energy  until  within 
two  weeks  of  his  death,  having  preached  three  times  on 
the  last  Sabbath  of  his  labors,  besides  riding  many  miles 
to  reach  his  appointment.  Not  only  was  Brother  Mont- 
gomery a  pioneer  laborer,  but  he  was  a  frontier  laborer, 
perfectly  isolated,  there  being  no  other  minister  or  organiza- 
tion of  the  new  church  within  more  than  one  hundred 
miles  of  him.  But  this  society,  left  without  a  pastor,  and 
having  no  regular  pastor  for  more  than  two  years,  proved  a 
nucleus  of  an  extensive  work,  resulting  in  the  formation  of 
several  circuits  and  one  station,  ultimately  embraced  in  the 
Muskingum  Conference,  as  otherwheres  stated  in  this 
volume. 

The  following  additional  incident  is  related  by  Brother 
Souder : 

When,  in  1830,  it  became  known  that  James  Mont- 
gomery had  identified  himself  with  the  cause  of  Methodist 
Reform,  Dr.  Thomas  Davis,  a  minister  in  connection  with 
what  was  called  the  Methodist  Reformed  Church,  living  at 
Sandusky  City,  and  John  Frees,  a  licensed  preacher  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  living  in  the  same  vicinitv, 
came  to  visit  and  converse  with  him  (Montgomery).  They 
found  him  on  his  death-bed.  After  an  interesting  inter- 
view, the  dying  man  ventured  to  make  an  appointment,  and 
engaged  the  two  brethren  to  come  and  hold  a  two  days' 
meeting  at  his  (Montgomery's)  house,  in  three  weeks  from 


406 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


that  time,  whether  he  should  live  or  die.  In  the  interval, 
he  died.  But  the  brethren  came,  agreeably  to  engagement, 
and  held  the  meeting.  It  was  well  attended,  and  very 
interesting.  Two  persons  joined  the  little  band,  on  the 
occasion,  namely,  Daniel  Garretson  and  his  wife. 


OFFICIAL  BOARDS 


OF   THE    METHODIST    PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION,  PITTSBURGH. 

JOHN  J.  GILLESPIE,  President;   William  J.  Troth, 
J    Secretary;  William  Tate,  Jr.,  William  Rinehart,  John 
Burns,  Thomas  B.  Graham,  Dr.  T.  W.  Shaw. 

Alex.  Clark,  Editor;  James  Robison,  Publishing  Agent. 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  OF  THE  BOOK  CONCERN,  BALTIMORE. 

H.  F.  Zollickofter,  John  G.  Clarke,  H.  T.  Gernhart, 
John  M.  Holmes,  Horace  Burrough,  T.  B.  Bateman,  W.  J. 
C.  Dulany,  D.  L.  Greenfield. 

E.  J.  Drinkhouse,  Editor  and  Publisher. 

BOARD  OF  MISSIONS. 

Reuben  Rose,  President ;  Cornelius  S.  Evans,  Record- 
ing Secretary  ;  Charles  H.  Williams,  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary; Thomas  J.  Finch,  Treasurer;  Lawrence  W.  Bates. 
Joel  S.  Thrap,  H.  Stackhouse,  Thomas  B.  Graham,  William 
White,  James  M.  Johnson. 

BOARD  OF  MINISTERIAL  EDUCATION,  PITTSBURGH. 

John  Scott,  President ;  William  K.  Gillespie,  Recording 
Secretary ;  James  B.  Walker,  Corresponding  Secretary  ; 
John  H.  Claney,  Treasurer;  William  Collier,  John  Mun- 
den,  John  J.  Murray. 

407 


408 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


BOARD  OF  CHURCH  EXTENSION,   PRINCETON,  ILL. 

William  H.  Jordan,  President ;  Thomas  Kelly,  Record- 
ing Secretary;  Perry  F.  Remsburgh,  Treasurer;  A.  H. 
Widney,  Corresponding  Secretary ;  J.  R.  Mulvane,  James 
M.  Mayall,  P.  J.  Strong,  James  Ross,  G.  L.  Taylor. 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  ADRIAN  COLLEGE. 

Norman  Geddes,  President ;  George  B.  McElroy,  Sec- 
retary ;  Joseph  J.  Amos,  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  John  Burns, 
John  J.  Gillespie,  William  M.  Hamilton,  Robert  H.  Mar- 
shall, I.  W.  McKeever,  Joab  R.  Mulvane,  Francis  H.  Pier- 
point,  Joseph  J.  Smith,  H.  Stackhouse,  Nathan  R.  Swift, 
Joel  S.  Thrap,  James  B.  Walker,  John  H.  Claney,  John 
Cowl,  Thomas  J.  Finch,  Jonathan  M.  Flood,  John  Fordyce, 
James  M.  Mayall,  Richard  Mount,  John  W.  Murphy, 
Woodland  Owen,  Reuben  Rose,  F.  Stringer,  Chester  Un- 
derwood, Elias  A.  Wheat,  W.  S.  Wilcox,  A.  T.  Bruske, 
J.  H.  Fee,  C.  D.  Roys,  A.  M.  Woodworth,  W.  R.  Cowl, 
A.  H.  Lowrie. 

Nathan  R.  Swift,  Treasurer  and  General  Agent. 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  WESTERN  MARYLAND  COLLEGE. 

John  Smith,  President;  J.  T.  Ward,  Secretary;  J.  W. 
Hering,  Treasurer;  Isaac  C.  Baile,  Joshua  Yingling,  John 
K.  Longwell,  E.  O.  Grimes,  H.  C  dishing,  James  K. 
Nichols,  Silas  B.  Southerland,  Lawrence  W.  Bates,  John 
J.  Murray,  Peter  Light  Wilson,  Daniel  W.  Bates,  Rhesa  S. 
Norris,  David  Wilson,  Edward  J.  Drinkhouse,  John  G. 
Clarke,  George  Vickers,  R.  S.  Griffith,  Ormand  Ham- 
mond, J.  T.  Murray,  James  W.  Thompson,  William  G. 
Baker,  Alfred  Zollickoffer,  William  H.  Todd,  Benedict 
Milburn,  Charles  Billingslea,  David  H.  Shriver,  R.  B.  Nor- 
ment,  John  S.  Repp,  Samuel  McKinstry,  E.  K.  Gernand. 

J.  W.  Charlton,  College  Agent. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


40(J 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH  CALENDAR. 

The  Annual  Council  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
consisting  of  the  Editors,  Publishing  Agents,  the  General 
Agents  of  the  Colleges,  the  Corresponding  Secretaries  of 
the  several  General  Boards,  and  a  representation  from  each 
Board,  meets  second  Wednesday  in  July,  each  year,  by  ad- 
journments, as  to  place.  The  session  of  1878  to  be  held 
at  Pittsburgh. 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Missions  is  held 
at  Springfield,  Ohio,  during  the  last  week  in  June. 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation is  held  at  Pittsburgh,  the  first  Thursday  in  July. 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Church  Extension 
is  held  at  Princeton,  111.,  in  July. 

The  Board  of  Publication,  Pittsburgh,  holds  semi-an- 
nual meetings,  in  February  and  August,  each  year. 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Adrian  College  is  held  (usually)  the  third  Tuesday  in  June. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Western  Maryland  College 
holds  semi-annual  meetings,  in  January  and  June  (third 
Wednesday). 

The  next  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church  is  to  be  held  at  Pittsburgh,  on  the  third  Friday 
in  May,  1880. 

PREACHERS'    AID  SOCIETY. 

The  Preachers'  Aid  Society,  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  was  organized  at  Cincin- 
nati, September,  1844.  A  fund  was  commenced,  which 
was  nurtured  and  increased,  chiefly  through  the  liberality  of 
brethren  of  that  city,  with  subscriptions  also  in  life-mem- 
berships by  members  of  the  Conference,  and  by  friends 
enlisted  to  help,  from  time  to  lime,  at  the  sessions  of  the 
Conference. 


410 


A  CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


For  many  years  the  Society  was  chiefly  conducted  by 
John  Whetstone,  as  President,  and  Daniel  H.  Home,  a? 
Treasurer,  as  well  as  greatly  aided  by  their  liberality  in 
contributing  to  its  funds.  But  in  1868,  when  both  of  those 
venerable  men  had  reached  their  eightieth  year,  they  de- 
sired to  be  relieved  of  the  responsibility,  and  tendered  their 
resignation.  At  the  same  time,  the  entire  Board  of  Direc- 
tors resigned,  in  view  of  the  transfer  of  the  location  of  the 
Society  to  Springfield,  as  a  more  central  point.  This  was 
unanimously  concurred  in  by  the  Society.  The  transfer 
was  made,  and  a  new  board  was  elected  at  the  latter  place. 
Resolutions  were  passed,  gratefully  commending  the  labors 
and  liberality  of  the  former  directors,  in  sustaining  the 
interests  of  the  Society. 

John  Whetstone  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  of  Cincinnati.  As  one  of  its 
chief  pillars,  he  was  spared  to  aid  in  sustaining  its  interests 
to  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-five.  In  affluent  circumstances,  he 
gave  liberally,  not  only  to  build  up  the  Aid  Society,  but 
Adrian  College,  the  cause  of  missions,  and  other  general 
interests  of  the  church.  He  served  as  representative  in 
many  conventions  and  conferences,  general  and  annual, 
East  as  well  as  West.  His  commanding  presence,  his  ju- 
dicious counsels,  and  his  generous  sentiments,  every-where 
secured  him  respect  and  veneration.  He  thus  acquired  a 
national  character  in  the  church,  and  it  is  due  here  to  enter 
this  tribute  to  his  memory. 

The  fund  of  the  Aid  Society  has  been  increased  to  $26,- 
000,  and  usually  distributes  about  $1,000  annually  to  super- 
annuated ministers,  their  widows  and  orphans. 

The  present  Board  of  Directors  of  this  Society  consists 
of  T.  B.  Graham,  President ;  C.  S.  Evans,  Secretary ;  T.  J. 
Finch,  Treasurer;  A.  H.  Bassett,  R.  Rose,  C.  H.  Williams 
and  James  M.  Johnson. 

Annual  meetings  of  the  Society  are  held  the  first  Mon- 
day in  June. 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 


41] 


THE  AID  SOCIETY 

Of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church  was  in  existence  and  in  useful  operation,  in 
connection  with  the  church  in  Pittsburgh,  at  a  period  prioi 
to  the  organization  of  the  Conference  itself.  The  endow- 
ment of  this  Society,  through  the  munificence  of  the  late 
Charles  Avery,  has  been  otherwheres  spoken  of  in  this  vol- 
ume. Its  annual  distribution,  as  a  relief  fund,  has  been  a 
great  blessing  to  many. 

The  present  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Society,  and  its 
officers,  are  as  follows :  James  Robison,  President;  T.  H. 
Colhouer,  Recording  Secretary;  John  Scott,  Corresponding 
Secretary;  R.  H.  Marshall,  Treasurer;  V.  G.Elliott,  T.  F. 
Scott,  D.  Jones,  J.  J.  Gillespie. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

The  author  acknowledges  indebtedness  to  the  following 
named  persons,  for  furnishing  solicited  information,  to  be 
used  in  the  preparation  of  this  work : 

John  Scott,  Thomas  McCormick,  William  Collier,  L.  W. 
Bates,  James  Barnes,  E.  J.  Drinkhouse,  Peter  T.  Laishley, 
T.  B.  Appleget,  G.  B.  McElroy,  John  Kost,  J.  P.  Johnston, 
James  M.  Mayall,  Col.  A.  S.  West,  William  H.  Jordan,  J.  D. 
Tingle,  Daniel  Young,  Dr.  William  Henderson,  John  Sou- 
der,W.  P.  Turner,  T.  J.  Finch,  C.  S.  Evans. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE 


OF    METHODIST    PROTESTANT  HISTORY. 


1703.  John  Wesley  born,  June  17th  (O.  S.),  at  Epworth,  England. 
1708.  Charles  Wesley  born. 

1714.  George  Whitetield  born,  at  Bristol,  England. 

1729.  The  epithet  Methodist  first  applied  to  Charles  Wesley,  who 
was  also  considered  the  founder  of  the  so-called  "  Holy 
Club,"  at  Oxford  College,  of  whom  his  brother  John  was 
one. 

1 735.  George  Whitefield  joins  the  "Club"  at  Oxford,  and  is  the 
leading  spirit  of  the  society,  during  the  absence  of  the 
Wesleys  in  America. 

1 739.  The  first  Methodist  Chapel  founded  at  Bristol.  Same  year, 
the  Old  Foundry  opened  for  worship  by  John  Wesley,  in 
London.  Soon  after,  the  first  class,  or  "  United  Society," 
formed  in  London. 

1744.  First  Methodist  Conference,  June  25th,  in  the  Foundry,  Lon- 
don, consisting  of  six  clergymen  (including  the  two  Wes- 
leys), and  four  lay  preachers. 

1765.  First  Methodist  preaching  in  New  York,  by  Philip  Embury, 

a  local  preacher  from  Ireland.  About  the  same  time, 
Robert  Strawbridge,  another  local  preacher,  also  from  Ire- 
land, commenced  preaching  in  Maryland.  At  Pipe  Creek, 
Md.,  he  formed  the  first  Methodist  Society  in  America,  as 
declared  by  Bishop  Asbury.  Of  the  first  members  of  this 
society,  were  the  parents  of  the  late  George  Brown. 

1766.  The  dates  of  the  last  named  events  not  being  satisfactorily 

established,  the  centenary  of  American  Methodism  was 

generally  observed  in  1866. 
176S.  The  first  Methodist  meeting-house  in  America  dedicated, 

October  30th,  at  John  street,  New  York. 
1770.  George  Whitefield  died,  Massachusetts,  September  30th,  aged 

56  years. 

1 773.  First  American  Methodist  Conference,  at  Philadelphia,  con- 
sisting of  ten  preachers,  all  Europeans. 

1784.  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  organized,  Baltimore,  by  Fran- 
cis Asbury  and  an  assembly  of  preachers,  Christmas  week. 


412 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


413 


1788.  Charles  Wesley  died,  March  29th,  aged  80. 

1791.  John  Wesley  died,  March  2d,  aged  88. 

1792.  Secession  of  James  O'Kelley. 

1S06.   Richard  Whatcoat  died,  Delaware,  July  5th. 

1812.  General  Conference,  Baltimore,  Nicholas  Snethen  introduces 

the  famous  Presiding  Elder  Compromise. 
1814.   Methodist  Reformed  Church  organized,  Readsboro',  Vt. 

Dr.  Thomas  Coke  died,  at  sea,  May  3d,  aged  66. 
1816.  Francis  Asbury  died,  March  31st,  aged  71. 

Jesse  Lee  died,  September  12th,  aged  58. 

1820.  General  Conference,  Baltimore.    Presiding  Elder  question 

settled.  Then  again  unsettled.  Coup  J'£iai  of  Joshua 
Soule.  Suspended  resolutions.  Secession  of  \V.  M.  Still- 
well,  New  Yoi4c. 

1821.  "Wesleyan  Repository,"  by  W.  S.  Stockton,  first  issued,  Feb- 

ruary 15th,  at  Trenton,  N.  J. 

1824.  General  Conference  knows  "no  such  rights,"  May,  Balti- 

more. 

"Mutual  Rights"  first  issued,  August.  Continued  four  years. 

1825.  Cincinnati  Union  Society  organized,  November  17th. 

1826.  Convention  of  Methodist  Society,  June,  New  York. 
James  O'Kelley  died,  October  16th,  aged  90. 

1S27.  Dennis  B.   Dorsey   suspended    by    Baltimore  Conference, 
April.    Next  year  recorded  expelled. 
Expulsion  of  Reformers  in  Baltimore,  September. 
General  Convention  of  Reformers,  November,  Baltimore. 

1828.  General  Conference  confirms  the  expulsions.     "Divinely  in- 

stituted ministry"  in  its  "ministrations,"  not  to  be  "arbi- 
trarily controlled  by  others." 

Expulsions  in  Cincinnati.    Secession,  August  18th. 

"Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer"  commenced, 
September.    Continued  two  years. 

General  Convention  of  Reformers,  Baltimore,  November. 
Conventional  Articles. 

Annual  Conference  of  Reformers  organized  in  North  Caro- 
lina, December  19th. 

1829.  Truman  Bishop  died,  Cincinnati,  January  12th. 
Maryland  Conference  organized,  April  2d,  at  Baltimore. 
Virginia  Conference  organized.  May  1st,  at  Lynchburg. 
Alabama  Conference  organized,  May  1st. 

Sixth  Street  Church,  Cincinnati,  dedicated,  May  3d,  by  Asa 

Shinn,  on  his  birthday. 
Annual  Conference  organized  at  Philadelphia,  October  Sth. 
Tennessee  Conference  organized,  October  8th. 
Ohio  Conference  organized,  Cincinnati,  October  15th. 
1S30.  Genesee  Conference  organized,  February  13th. 

Vermont  Conference  organized,  February  19th,  Shelburne. 
New  York  Conference  organized,  April  21st,  New  York. 
Georgia  Conference  organized,  July  22d. 
Massachusetts  Conference  organized,  October  3d,  Boston. 
General  Convention,  Baltimore,  November  2d. 


414 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 

Church  adopted. 
"Methodist  Correspondent"  commenced,  Cincinnati,  No- 
vember 15th.    Continued  six  years. 
1831.   "Methodist  Protestant"  fust  issued,  Baltimore,  January  7th. 

1833.  Fifth  Avenue  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Pittsburgh,  ded- 

icated, J  une  2d. 

1834.  First    General  Conference,  Methodist   Protestant  Church, 

Georgetown,  May  6th. 
First  session  of  Pittsburgh  Conference,  September  9th,  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Ohio. 

1835.  Champlain  Conference  organized. 

Ninth  Street  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Washington,  ded- 
icated, July  19th. 

1836.  First  session  of  Illinois  Conference,  Alton,  October  25th. 
James  Tovvler,  Ohio,  died,  July  9th,  aged  68. 

1838.  Second  General  Conference,  Pittsburgh,  May  15th. 
Dr.  J.  B.  Tilden,  Virginia,  died,  July  24th,  aged  78. 

1839.  "Western  Recorder"  first  issued,  Zanesville,  July  [8th. 
Onondaga  Conference  organized,  October  9th. 
Dearborn  College  building,  Indiana,  burned. 

South  Carolina  Conference  organized,  December  26th. 

1840.  First  session  of  Indiana  Conference,  John  Burton's,  October 

1st. 

Sylvester  Hutchenson,  Pennnsylvania,  died  November  18th, 

aged  74. 

Mississippi  Conference  organized. 

1842.  Third  General  Conference.  Baltimore,  May  3d. 
Michigan  Conference  organized,  July  14th. 

1843.  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection  organized,  Utica,  N.  Y., 

May  31st. 

First  session  Muskingum  Conference. 

Jonathan  Forest  died,  Maryland,  October  12th,  aged  89. 

John  Smith,  President  Pennsylvania  Conference,  died,  No- 
vember 2d. 

1844.  James  Sims,  Illinois,  died,  February  20th,  aged  74. 
North  Illinois  Conference  organized,  September. 

1845.  Nicholas  Snethen  died,  May  30th,  aged  75. 

Gas  explosion  at  Allegheny  Church,  August  12th. 
Louisiana  Conference  organized. 

1846.  Fourth  General  Conference,  Cincinnati,  May  5th. 

First  General  Conference  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  Petersburg,  Va.,  May  1st. 

1847.  Orange  Scott  died,  July  31st,  aged  47. 

1.848.  Daniel  Ireland,  Genesee,  died,  February  28th,  aged  68. 
Stephen  Remington,  Pittsburgh,  died,  July  9th. 
Benedict  Burgess,  Virginia,  died,  October  25th,  aged  64. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


410 


1S49.   E.  W.  Griswold,  President  New  York  Conference,  died, 
of  cholera,  July  5th. 
W.  W.  Hill,  North  Carolina,  died,  September  7th,  aged  61. 
J.  R.  Williams,  Baltimore,  died,  October  1st,  aged  69. 

1850.  James  Covel,  New  York,  died,  February  2d,  aged  79. 
Fifth  General  Conference,  Baltimore,  May  7th. 

1 85 1 .  Isaac  Webster,  Maryland,  died,  February  4th,  aged  64. 
Jacob  Myers  died,  Rushville,  111.,  May  7th,  aged  76. 
Revi  R.  Reese,  Maryland,  died,  September  iSth,  aged  45. 
Frederick  Steir,  Maryland,  died,  October  15th,  aged  67. 

1852.  Cambridge  College  building  destroyed  by  a  storm,  July  27th, 
Joseph  Shipp,  Indiana,  died,  August  15th. 

1853.  Asa  Shinn  died,  Vermont,  February  nth,  aged  72. 
Jeremiah  T.  Pratt,  Mich.,  died  July  17th,  aged  52. 
Thomas  F.  Norris,  Mass.,  died,  December  21st,  aged  61. 

1S54.  John  J.  Harrod,  Maryland,  died,  January  6th,  aged  68. 

Sixth  General  Conference,  Steubenville,  May  2d. 

Samuel  K.  Jennings,  Maryland,  died,  October  19th,  aged  83. 

Convention,  Zanesville,  November  1st.  Ancel  H.  Bassett 
elected  Editor  and  Book  Agent. 

Nathaniel  Gage,  New  York,  died,  December  27th,  aged  89. 
1855.  Dr.  J.  S.  Reese,  Maryland,  died,  February  14th,  aged  65. 

Book  Concern  Convention,  Baltimore,  June  6th.  Eli  Y. 
Reese  elected  Editor  and  Book  Agent. 

"Western  Methodist  Protestant"  first  issued,  Springfield,  Oc- 
tober 16th. 

1S56.  Alexander  McCaine,  Georgia,  died,  June  1st,  aged  84. 
C.  Finney,  Virginia,  died,  August  24th,  aged  5S. 
Convention,  Springfield,  Ohio,  November  5th. 

1857.  Adjet  McGuire,  Ohio,  died,  July  26th,  aged  79. 
Convention,  Cincinnati,  November  I  ith.  Memorial. 

1858.  R.  H.  Horn,  Nebraska,  died,  January  8th,  aged  68. 
Charles  Avery,  Pittsburgh,  died,  January  17th,  aged  74. 
Gas  explosion  Sixth  S  treet  Church,  Cincinnati,  February  19. 
P.  B.  Hopper,  Maryland,  died,  March  28th,  aged  67. 
General  Conference.  Lynchburg,  May  4th. 

Minnesota  Conference  organized,  June  17th. 
Convention,  Springfield,  November  10th.  Suspension. 

1860.  Robert  Dobbins,  Ohio,  died  January  13th,  aged  92. 
John  Burton,  Indiana,  died,  March  6th,  aged  77. 
Dennis  B.  Dorsey  died,  Fairmont,  March  iSth,  aged  60. 
John  Wood,  Cincinnati,  died  March  24th,  aged  82. 
Levi  Brunson,  New  York,  died,  March  25th,  aged  91. 
Corner-stone  of  Book  Concern  laid,  Springfield,  June  6th. 
Convention,   Pittsburgh,  November  14th.    George  Brown 

elected  Editor;  Ancel  H.  Bassett,  Book  Agent. 
William  S.  Stockton,  Philadelphia,  died,  November  20th, 
aged  76. 

1861.  Death  of  editor  E.  Y.  Reese,  Baltimore,  September  14th, 

aged  45. 

Joseph  Snelling,  Massachusetts,  died,  October,  aged  SS. 


416  CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 

1862.  General  Conference,  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  George- 

town, D.  C,  May  6th.  Regular  session  not  held,  on  ac- 
count of  the  war. 

D.  Zollickoffer,  Maryland,  died,  November  1st,  aged  72. 

Convenion,  Cincinnati,  November  5th.  Dennis  B.  Dorsev, 
Jr.,  elected  Editor.    Ancel  H.  Bassett,  Book  Agent. 

1863.  J.  Varden,  Maryland,  died,  January  16th,  aged  57. 

1864.  B.  Y.  Thaekera,  New  Jersey,  died,  February  29th,  aged  74. 
Oliver  Erles,  Michigan,  died,  June  23d,  aged  72. 
Methodist    Protestant    Collegiate    Association  organized, 

Springfield,  July  7th. 
James  Gardner,  President  Indiana  Conference,  died,  Septem- 
ber 26th. 

Ansel  H.  Bassett  resigns  as  Book  Agent;  J.  S.  Thrap  ap- 
pointed, October. 

Dennis  B.  Dorsey  resigns  as  Editor;  John  Scott  appointed, 
October. 

B.  Goldsbury,  Ohio,  died,  December  22d,  aged  87. 

1865.  R.  T.  Boyd,  Maryland,  died,  February  21st,  aged  71. 

S.  W.  Widney,  North  Indiana,  died,  in  the  army,  April  20th, 
aged  45. 

Adjourned  session  General  Conference,  Georgetown,  May 
9th. 

Donors  of  Endowment  rund  elect  Trustees,  Springfield, 
May  31st. 

Union  Convention,  Cleveland,  June  21st. 

J.  B.  Goodenough,  Onondaga,  died,  September  5th,  aged  82. 

1866.  General  Conference,  Georgetown,  May  1st. 

Union  Convention,  Union  Chapel,  Cincinnati,  May  9th. 
Wesley  Starr,  Baltimore,  died,  May  9th,  aged  76. 
S.  P.  Huntington,  Wisconsin,  died,  November  6,  aged  55. 
General  Conference,  Allegheny,  November  14th.   John  Scott 
elected  Editor;  A.  H.  Bassett,  Publishing  Agent. 

1867.  Laban  Smith,  Michigan,  died,  February  23d,  aged  76. 
Adrian  College  transferred  to  the  Methodist  Church.  Dr. 

Asa  Mahan  elected  President,  February  27th. 
Methodist  Protestant  Convention,  Montgomery,  Ala., May  7th. 
First  General  Conference,   Methodist  Church,  Cleveland, 

May  15th. 

Eli  Henkle,  Maryland,  died,  August  24th,  aged  80. 
Jonathan  Flood,  Ohio,  died,  October  21st,  aged  86. 
|ohn  Wilson,  Ohio,  died,  November  23d,  aged  81. 
186S.  James  McClean,  Indiana,  died,  April  16th,  aged  92. 
Francis  Waters,  Maryland,  died,  April  23d,  aged  76. 
V.  Lucas,  Pittsburgh,  died,  May  19th,  aged  45. 
Joshua  Leach,  North  Missouri,  died,  October  4th,  aged  60. 
Thomas  H.  Stockton,    Philadelphia,    died,  October  9th, 
aged  60. 

Jacob  Streetor,  Genesee,  died,  October  22d,  aged  71. 
1S69.  A.  S.  Bissell,  President  North  Indiana  Conference,  died,  Jan- 
uary 6th,  aged  57. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


417 


J.  Mason,  President  Iowa  Conference,  died,  January  2lst, 
aged  50. 

J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  North  Illinois,  died,  February  1st,  aged  70. 
South  Hall  burned,  Adrian  College,  February  2d. 
\V.  P.  David,  North  Indiana,  died,  February  20th,  aged  4S. 
J.  S.  Williams,  North  Illinois,  died,  April  loth,  aged  68. 
William  Hughey,  Ohio,  died,  .May  24th,  aged  77. 
G.  d  Cary,  Genesee,  died,  May  30th,  aged  44. 
Z.  Boynton,  Wisconsin,  died,  July  31st. 
Joel  Dalbey  died,  Missouri,  November  22d,  aged  59. 
1S70.  Abram  Woolston,  North  Iowa,  died,  February  Sth,  aged  77. 
Fdward  Moore,  Pittsburgh,  died,  February  26th,  aged  86. 
Daniel  H.  Home,  Cincinnati,  died,  March  27th,  aged  S2. 
William  Williams,  Genesee,  died,  April  8th,  aged  70. 
Methodist  Protestant  General  Conference,  East  Baltimore, 
May  6th. 

William  E.  Martin,  North  Illinois,  died,  May  29th,  aged  51. 
L.  J.  Cox,  Baltimore,  died,  July  26th,  aged  80. 
John  Scott  resigns  as  editor.    Alexander  Clark  succeeds, 
September  1st. 

1871.  Charles  Craig,  Pittsburgh,  died,  February  Sth,  aged  96. 
William  Reeves,  Pittsburgh,  died,  April  20th,  aged  68. 
Second  General  Conference,  Methodist  Church,  Pittsburgh, 

May  17th. 

William  Young  died,  Painesville,  Ohio,  June  3d,  aged  75. 
Beniah  Bayn,  West  Michigan,  died,  September  13th,  aged  59. 
George  Brown  died,  Springfield,  October  25th,  aged  79. 
Publishing  Concern  removed  to  Pittsburgh,  November  1st. 
William  H.  Miller,  New  York,  died,  December  14th,  aged  58. 

1872.  Resignation    of  Ancel  H.   Bassett  as    Publishing  Agent. 

Tames  Robison  appointed,  and  assumes  the  duties,  July  1st. 

1873.  William  B.  Yanleer,  New  Jersey,  died,  March  Sth,  aged  59. 
William  B.  Evans,  Ohio,  died,  March  IOth,  aged  79. 
George  L.  Scott,  Ohio,  died,  April  13th,  aged  54. 
Thomson  Hanna,  Ohio,  died,  May  17th,  aged  73. 

O.  P.  Stephens,  Ohio,  died,  November  6th,  aged  53. 
1S74.  Isaac  Hunt,  Ohio,  died,  in  Oregon,  January  7th,  aged  S4. 

General  Conference,  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Lynch- 
burg, May  1st. 

J.  L  Borton,  North  Illinois,  died,  July  9th,  aged  62. 

John  Whetstone,  Cincinnati,  died,  August  loth,  aged  86. 

E.  E.  Parrish,  Oregon,  died,  October  24th,  aged  83. 

George  Wheatley,  Iowa,  died,  November  30th,  aged  72. 
1875.   P.  F.  Johnson,  Ohio,  died,  January  18th,  aged  52. 

James  G.  Evans,  Springfield,  died,  May  15th,  aged  59. 

General  Conference,  Methodist  Church,  Princeton,  Illinois, 
May  19th. 

Reuben  M.  Dalbey.  Ohio,  died,  July  10th,  aged  59. 

Willi. ui)  E,  Ait,  President  S.Tilh  Illinois  Conference,  died, 

July  27th,  aged  54. 
Cornelius  Springer,  Muskingum,  died,  August  17th,  aged  84. 


418 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


Union  Commissioners  met,  Pittsburgh,  October  22<1. 
Z.  Ragan  died,  Steubenville,  November  27th,  aged  72. 

1876.  T.  T.  Heiss,  New  Jersey,  died,  July  1st,  aged  57. 
D.  Grail,  Ohio,  died.  September  nth,  aged  78. 
D.  Moore,  Ohio,  died,  Septembor  18th,  aged  68. 

John  Alter,  North  Indiana,  died,  October  16th,  aged  75. 

1877.  Abraham  S.  Eversole,  Maryland,  died,  February  3d,  aged  64. 
J.  W.  Case,  Muskingum,  died,  March  17th,  aged  71. 

C.  J.  Sears,  Muskingum,  died,  April  1st,  aged  72. 
A.  G.  Brewer,  Alabama,  died,  April  7th,  aged  82. 

D.  E.  Reese,  Maryland,  died,  April  23d,  aged  65. 
General  Convention,  Methodist  Church,  Green  street,  Balti- 
more, May  nth. 

General  Convention,  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Aisquith 
street,  Baltimore,  May  nth. 

Union  of  the  two  churches  consummated,  May  16th,  at 
Starr  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  General  Conven- 
tion of  the  united  body  organized. 

George  Percival,  Virginia,  died,  May  31st,  aged  85. 


INDEX.— Topical  and  Personal, 


a. 

Asliurv,  Francis,  22,  27,  28,  259,  2G0. 

Appeal,  Doner  and  Pool,  49. 

Amos.  Joseph  J.,  92. 

A  very,  (  ha.le»,  92,  96,  133,  191,  386. 

Abolition,  112. 

Alter.  John.  120. 

Appleget,  T.  B.,  125,  216,  245. 

Accident  at  Allegheny,  127. 

"      at  Cincinimti,  161. 
Anderson,  B.S.,  131. 
Ames,  ().,  167. 
Articles,  Conventional,  78. 
Aid  Society,  409  ,  410,411. 


Ib.ardinan.  Richard,  22. 

Bnscom,  H.  B.,  4.5.  68. 

Brown,  George,  42.  64.  93,  117,  142.  182, 

188,  190,  193.  198,  206,  222,  225,  369. 
Bishop,  Dr.  Truman,  84,  86. 
Browning,  Jeremiah  and  Lewis,  91. 
Black,  Calvin,  95. 
Barnes.  James,  95,  262. 
Braddock's  Fields,  org  animation,  96. 
Book  Committee,  105,  109,  110. 

"    Directory.  139,  146,  178,  181,  197. 
Bailey,  Dr.  G.,  105. 
Burton,  John,  120. 
Bccl.ee.  J.,  120. 
Houghton,  C.  St.,  121. 
Burdltie,  John,  121. 
Bayn,  B  .  125. 
Bruce.  H.,  125. 
Busick,  W.,  129. 
Rail,  a  H.,  133. 
Baglcv,  Daniel.  134.  137. 
Button.  C.  W.,  14  J,  172, 230,  239,  240,  252, 

256,  264. 

Burns.  John.  137.  144.  118,  224,  228,  231, 

244,  248,  253.  264,  266. 
Board  of  Trust,  145,  146,  148,  187.  190. 
Board  of  Ministerial    Education,  212, 

210,221,229. 
Board  Of  Publication,  213.  214,  224,  229. 
Hoard  of  Church  Extension,  230. 
Board  of  Missions.  109, 133,  137, 185, 194, 

199.  212^216,  222,  228. 
B  •aids  to  remain  intact.  248,  257. 
li.bh,  B.  S.,  146,  163,  249,  253.  256.  263, 

264  ,  296. 
Bass,  J.  B.,  161. 
Bliss,  L.  A.,  166. 


Bates,  L.  W..  167.  176.  17s,  179,  236,  249, 

252,  253,  265.  266. 
Barr,  George  K.,  179,  249.  255.  264. 
Book  Concern  Building,  187,  223. 

Removal.  146,  223,  224. 
Brewster,  \V.  H  .  188,  190. 
Bradley,  C.  S„  192. 
Baker,  S.  A..  20S. 
Baker,  U.,  219. 
Bruce,  J.  G.,  121. 
Betts,  W.  M.,  236. 
Basis  of  Union,  236.  237.  246,  249. 
British  Weslevaii  Conference,  242. 
Bible  Christian  Conference,  242. 


Bassett,  A.  H.,  122, 127. 131, 144.  148, 157, 

190,  194,  199,  213.  225.  232,  255,  267. 
Bates,  E.  B.,  255,  296. 
Benson,  F.,  257. 

Baltimore,  Historic  Ground,  259. 
Bowden,  William,  261. 
Brewer,  A.  G.,  261,312. 
Bailev,  E.,  309. 
Uu.hl,  Samuel,  125,  312. 
Bui*e,  William,  312. 
Burgess,  N.,  219. 
Baldwin,  W.  L.,  397. 
Brindley,  E.  A.,  400. 
Boards,  General,  407. 

C. 

Convention  of  1827  ,  48,  261. 
"  182S,  78,  261. 

1830,  103,  162. 
"  1854,  141,144. 

1855,  140,146. 

1856,  148. 

"  1857,  149,  156. 

1858,  160,  165,  182,  264. 
1860,  186,  193. 
1862,  195,  la,,,  265. 


,265. 


1S77,  Meth.,  244. 
"    M.  P.,  244,  249. 
"  "    United  Body,  251. 

Conf.,  General,  M.E.,  1812,  33. 

1820,  35. 

"        "  "       1824,  41. 

1828,  49. 
1832,  105. 
M.P.,  1834,  105,108,262. 
419 


420 


INDEX. — TOPICAL  AND  PERSONAL. 


Conf..  General,  M.  P., 


IS3S,  111.  115,202. 
1S42,  122,262. 
IS  Hi,  127,263. 
1S50,  i:!l,263. 
1854,  137,  26-1 
1S5\  163.  264. 
1802,  167,198,26.3. 
1S66,  176,26-3. 
"  2(11.216,26.3. 


Conference,  first  Annual,  in  Kur 
"  "        "  inAme 

Conference,  Annual,  North  t'aro 

237,  255. 
Conlerenee,  Annual,  Maryland, 
"  "    Virginia,  SI. 

"  "    Alabama,  SI. 


Massachusetts,  8: 
Pitts.,  1U1,  116,36 
Illinois,  113. 
Indiana,  126. 
Onondaga,  128. 
South  Carolina, 
Musk..  124,  302. 
Michigan,  125. 

North  Illinois,  12 
>*.  Ind..  127,  129, 
Philadelphia,  127, 
Iowa,  129. 
Wisconsin,  13.5,  2 
Oregon  Mission, 
South  Illinois,  14 
West  Virginia,  U 
Minnesota,  16.5,  1 


rth 


Commissioners,  132,  144,  172,  218,  231, 

Collier,  William,  133,  156.  16:1,165.  177, 
185,191,  221.  222.  221,  22S,  263,  261. 

Cowl,  John,  133,232,  238. 

Cox,  S.  K.,  133. 

Cullen,  William.  139. 

Clancy,  George,  140,  141,  144,  145,  116, 
160, 163.  165,  182,  185. 


Cass,.| 

Comm 


Claney,  John  H.,  203,  212.  222,  229. 

Carlton,  O.  R..  206. 

Colhouer,  T.  H.,  218,  222,  230,  248,  2.5: 

Caddy,  Charles,  218,  341. 

Croft.  John,  224. 

Calhoon.  William  R.,  229. 

Collier,  F.  H.,  25.5. 

Contributions,  when  to  be  taken,  25S. 

Collins,'  .1  oh n ,"'328.' 
Chandler,  O.  V.  W.,  293,400. 
Calendar,  Methodist  1 

D. 

Darbin,  Jolin  P..  28. 
Dorsey,  Dennis  B.,  44.  SO 
Dorsey,  Dennis  P..  Jr.,  199 

Dobbins.  Robert,  89,  388. 
Dalbey,  Jo 


Dav 


IV,  110. 


Conferences  with  closed  doors,  2S 
College,  Dearborn,  112. 
"       Cambridge,  129. 

Madison.  132.  137,  141. 

West  Maryland,  178,  179, 

Henry,  186.  219. 

Adrian,  202,  213,  215,  217 


abolished,  180. 
181,  237,  253,  257. 
181,263,  255. 
184, 185,  379. 


INDEX .■ — -TOPICAL  AND  PERSONAL. 


421 


KWcr,  Prosiiling  Question,  35. 

Emory,  J..  36,  2G0. 

Expulsions,  in  Baltimore,  45,  46. 

"  Cincinnati,  53,  57. 

"  North  Carolina,  fil,  64. 

Other  Places,  61,  63,  66. 
Evans,  William  H..  89,  361. 
Everist,  J.  W„  167. 
Ewing,  T.  W..171,  181. 
Effects  of  the  War,  195,  201,  237. 
Kuans,  M.  V.  I?.,  212. 
Kvans,  .lames  G.,  212,  213,  226. 
Evans,  C.  S..  228,  244,  255,  271. 
Evans,  <}.,  363. 
Boston,  S.,  226. 

Kcnmoiiical  Methodist  Council,  253. 
Editors  anil  Publishers,  hold  over,  254. 
Editing  Committee,  256. 
Encouragements,  270. 
Epiiomc  of  General  Conferences  and 
(Jtneral  Conventions,  290. 


Flood,  J.,  SO.  35S. 

Klood,  J.  St.,  130, 141.  144, 145,  157,  188, 
213. 

Flood,  S.  H.,  234,  247,  248,  252,  256,  265, 
360. 

Pish,  William.  144.  145,  146. 

Kurilvce,  John.  185,  204. 

Kinch,  T.  J.,  204,  214,  228,  231,  234.  236. 

l-'ister,  Isaac,  262. 

French,  J.  C,  286. 

Gr. 

Gibbons,  D.,  91. 

deoj<he<ran.  Michael,  92. 
Gay,  James,  125. 

Gimchel,  w..  199,  208,212,  213,  214. 
Gillespie,  J.  J.,  204,  214,  224,  230,231, 

236,  253. 
Graham,  T.  B.,  316, 228,  265. 
Gillespie,  W.  K.,  230. 
C.e'.ieral  Conference  Fund,  234. 
Gibson.  A.,  254. 


i;.jld>bury,  B.,381. 


Ilistorv  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

Bv  J.  K.  Williams.  3,  7,  126. 

By  John  Paris,  3,  7. 

Proposed.  233.  246. 
Hopper.  P.  B..  29. 
Honkle,  S.  and  M.  M..  SO,  100,  358. 


Hammond,  O.,  286. 
Harper,  A.,  245. 

HirkerM.n,  J.  M.  P..  210.  252,  253,  256. 
Henderson,  F.  H.  M.,  255. 
Hamilton.  J.  H.,256. 
Henderson,  I>r.  W.,  328. 
Home,  I).  H.,  410. 


Incident  in  Ohio,  65,  71. 

Immke,  W.  H.,  235. 

Irish  Weslevau  Conference,  212. 


Johnson,  K.  P.,  401. 
Jones,  D.  A..  145,  146. 
Jones,  S.,  163. 

Jared,'  M.'.  218. 

Jordan,  W.  II..  230,244. 

Janes,  Bishop,  231,  233,  235,  238, 


Kezerta,  S.  P.,  135. 
Kinney,  P.,  162. 
Kidne'll,  Z.,  163. 

Host,  John,  188,  190.  101,203,214,220, 


Kent,  G.  W.,  213,  253. 
Knight,  II.  B.,  221,  22 
Kellev,  T.,  230. 


Lais 


i.  81.  M.,  I 
',  P.  T.,  US 
l.auu-head,  J.,  144. 
Lone;,  J.  P..  166. 
Lihhy,  .1.,  His,  265. 
Lamb,  J.,  192. 
Leach,  J.,  205. 


422 


INDEX. — TOPICAL 


AND  PERSONAL. 


Literary  and  Publishing  Society,  143, 

150,  165. 
Lucas,  V.,  212,  213. 
Lowrie,  A.  H.,  215,  216. 
Longsworth,  B.  N..  228. 
Lowden,  s.  M„  2-15,  247. 
Link,  C,  205. 

M. 

Methodism,  its  outset,  19,  22. 
McKendree,  Wm.,  32,  35,  70,  259,  260. 
Magazine,  Methodist,  37,  38. 
Mutual  Bights,  4(1,  42  ox,  73,80.  ^ 

49,  157. 
McTyeire,  Bishop.  70,  172. 
Mutual  Ilights  and  Christian  Intclli- 

J[fll""a,  82,  312. 

Myers,  Jacob,  88. 

Met. uire,  Adj.'t,  88,  91.  94,  343. 

Montgomery,  James,  91,  403. 

Madison,  Indiana,  organization,  94. 

Murray,  James,  94. 

Marshall,  W.  H.,  95,  353. 

Milligan,  R.,  96. 

Methodist  Protestani,  105, 196. 

Methodist  Church,  20S,  234. 

Methodist  Reformed  Church,  309. 

M.  E.  Church,  South,  union  with  con- 

McDaniel,  e",113. 

McDaniel,  R.,  113. 

Morrison,  S,  120. 

MeCaine.  Alex.,  46,  121,  124,261. 

Miller,  R.,  129. 

Mecasltey,  J.,  133. 

Miller  William,  133,213. 

Miller,  W.  H.,  182. 

Missionary  ami  S.  S.  Journal,  138. 

McElroy,  George  B.,  142,  192,  220,  228, 

236,  244,  253. 
Murray,  John  J.,  163,  168,  170,  172,  255, 

264,  265. 
Murray,  J.  T.,  171,  177,  221. 
Mayall,  James  M.,  83,  166,  185,  2H,  230, 

264,  401. 
Mathews,  J.  B.,  168. 
Morning  Guide,  180. 
Mahaii,  Dr.  A.,  202,  203,  201,  214,  222, 

229. 

Marshall,  li.  H..  203,  212,214,  222. 
Marshall,  R.,  222. 
Mattison,  H.,  206,  207. 
McEldowney,  J.,  207,208. 
Matlack,  L.  C,  207. 

Ministerial  Educational  Association,212. 
McKeeyer,  I.  W.,  215,  218,  222,  224. 
Muh-ane,  J.  It.,  221,230. 
Merrill,  S.  M.,  221. 

McCormick,  Thomas,  221,  239,  245,  2G0, 

Morrison,' W.,222. 
M widen,  J.,  229. 
Mearns,  W.,  249. 
May,  Ly Sander,  397. 


N. 

Norris,  T.  F.,  83, 166. 
Northern  Methodist  Protestant,  129. 
Newlove,  L.,  145,  146. 
Nichols,  Jacob,  219. 
Nichols,  J.  K.,  167,  170,  249,  255,  265. 
Nodurft,  J.  C,  206. 
Non-Episcopal  Methodism,  218. 
New  Connexion  Methodist  Conference 
241. 

O. 

O'Kelley,  James,  32,  33.  259,  305. 
Olive  Branch,  Boston,  83,  166. 
Olive  Leaf,  166. 
Overstreet,  J.  H.,  95. 
Ogden,  J.  K.,  204. 
i  Ibituary  Record,  304. 

P. 

Paris,  John,  3,  180,  255,  263,  264. 

Pibnoor,  Joseph,  22. 

Pool,  W.  C,  expelled,  44. 

Persecution  of  Reformers  considered,73. 

Price,  John,  85. 

Paul,  W.  W..  120. 

Pratt,  Jeremiah  T.,  125. 

Patterson,  W.,  129. 

Phillips,  J.  W.,  133. 

Parrish,  K.  E.,  134. 

Parrish,  A.,  168. 

Parsons,  W.  It.,  83,  185,  188,  230,  233, 

248,  264. 
Pierce,  Bishop,  172. 
Peculiarities  of  the  District,  183. 
Prindle,C,  185,  186,  189,  206,  208. 
Payne,  O.  ('.,  204. 

Pierpoint,  F.  H.,  221,  236,  247,  253,  263, 
264.  266. 

Primitive  Methodist  Conference,  241. 
Pegram,  T.  H.,  256. 
President  a  Conncctional  Officer,  257. 
Pogue,  G.  W.,  264, 265. 
Presidents,  Lists  of,  297,  298. 

Q. 

Qunrti  -Centennial  <  ibscrvance,  136. 
Quinn,  James,  326. 


Rankin,  Thomas,  23. 
Revolution,  American.  23,  24. 
Rigg,  Dr.,  ill  vindication  of  Wesley 
25,  242. 

Repository,  Wesleyan,  29,  37,  39,  73. 
Ryan,  B.,  89. 

Recorder,  Western,  11G,  119,  141,  144, 

355. 

Recorder,  Methodist,  213. 

Recorder,  Daily, 228. 

Reed,  J.  J.,  122,  124, 

Reese,  E.   Y.,  123,  126,  129   13S,  141, 

146,  164. 
Reese,  J.  8.,  123,  128. 
Reese,  L.  li.,  181,  263. 
Reese,  D.  E.,  167,  265. 
Rutledge,  J.  W..  133. 

Ragan,  Z.,  140,  214,393. 


INDEX. — TOPICAL  AND  PERSONAL. 


423 


Ituaan.  J.  W.,  343.  395. 
Richards,  J.  II..  144. 
K.cd,  T.  A..  141,  II.-.,  214. 
Rnmaby.  K.,  144. 

HtM-vt-s.  Win  ,  ii-.i.  ir.3,  ir.r.,  '.'is.21-,3. 

II..I.V.  W..  168,  265. 

Robisqp.  James,  lxo,  191,212,  213,  ! 


Lists  of,  291,  294 
S. 


Shadford,  (ieorae,  23 


191,23(1,  244,  252,  253, 


Conferences,  257. 


Stiles,  Dr..  335. 
Springer,  John;  353. 
Sniucher,  Isaac,  356. 


37.  73,  103,  105,  424, 
40,  65,  90,  95,  100, 
87,  94,  98,  101, 106, 
8,  84,  88,  89,  95,  305. 

t,  115,  123,  127,  131, 


S  ock  Compi 

ny,  1 

Strong,  1*.  .1 

.ill 

Shipp,  .losej 

h  an 

Stephens,  D. 

11  . 

Smith,  Laba 

I.  12. 

smlts,  E.  I>. 

125, 

ethe 

Snyder,  W.  1 

..  12 

Scott,  John. 

127.  1 

207,210,  2 

3,  2 

233,  234,  24 

Sands.  /.  L., 

133. 

Stier,  Frederick.  133. 
Separation  of  Publishing  Interests,  139. 
Sprin^t-r.  Jeremiah,  144. 
Steel,  William.  145.  140,  185. 
Sim.  I>i .  J.,  107,  108,  265. 
Smith.  .  l.m.l.S.  B..17K.  230,  2 39,  249.  252. 


jgical,  412. 
U. 


Churches,  Con- 


Vickers,  George,  1G3,  108. 
Varden,  J.,  104. 

Visit  to  President  Johnson,  108. 
Visit  to  President  Haves,  256. 
Virginia  Conference,  Dismemberment 

thereof,  178. 
Vandervort,  W.,  230,  253. 
Visitations,  Fraternal,  Abroad,  238. 
W. 

Williams,  J.  1!.,  3.  16,  74,  261. 
William*.  C.  H„  120,  14-1.  222,  228. 
Williams,  <ml  I,  205,  248. 


424 


Waters,  Francis,  10H, 


Wright,  K..  11 
Wbatcoat.  B., 
Waugb,  H  ,  86. 
Walden,  J.  M.. 


-TOPICAL  AND  PERSONAL. 


Wills,  W.  II  i;;t.  1  Hi,  17U,  219,  252,  251, 
•203,  264,2(0,207. 


',  178,  25!tt 

Methodist  Protestant,  Ufji 
lias  A.,  144,  145,  21U,  2» 


Wills,  li.  H..236,  249.  25.1. 
Whitfield,  J.  G.,  188, 177, 


8.  W.,  140,  185. 


Walker.  .1.  li.,  W,  211.1.  212,  210,  222 


Whetstone,  John,  188,  204,  214,  263 
Westfull,  (i.  (1.,  222,  245,  252. 
Whitford.  A.  K,  205. 
Wine,  Daniel,  :u,  287. 
Witsil,  T.  K.,  83,  811. 
Wells,  Joseph,  34C. 

T. 

Young,  William,  5G,  5S,  60. 
Tonng,  J.  H.,  102. 
Yonns.  I)  ,  218. 


Zollickoffer,  II.  P.,  249,  i 


DATE  DUE 

HIGHSMITH      #  45220 

